So far, so thrilling as leaders rev up rivalry

Gripping Hamilton-Verstappen battle promises fascinating season

Three intense wheel-to-wheel races with dogged defending and aggressive overtaking have made the Formula 1 season a thrilling battle so far, with veteran Lewis Hamilton chasing a record eighth title and Max Verstappen going all out to stop him.

Hamilton's victory at Sunday's Portuguese Grand Prix was his second of the season and 97th of his glittering career. It also ensured all the races this year have seen Hamilton and Verstappen finish in the top two positions, with Verstappen winning one after going so close to winning the season's opener in Bahrain.

"When you know that you can go to the absolute limit, you can trust each other to just race super-hard," Verstappen said. "I always have full trust in Lewis, that we will give each other enough space."