Much respect between Verstappen, Alonso and Hamilton: 'We trust each other'

With Verstappen, Alonso and Hamilton, there are 11 world titles in one room after the Canadian Grand Prix. They are also the only world champions on the current F1 grid. None of the other competitors ever won a world title and so it is very special when precisely those three are on the podium together again.

Respect between world champions

''I remember back in the day I was watching these two already in F1 racing each other. So of course I'm very happy that now that I'm in F1 as well and racing them is probably one of the best things out there. We can share a podium together. We've done it now a few times. I think of course they want to swap positions. I'm happy in the middle at the moment,'' said Verstappen.

''I really enjoy these battles and these podiums,'' Alonso begins. ''There is a lot of respect, a lot of talent when you fight against Max, Lewis. You know that you cannot make a mistake because they will take advantage of that and they will not make a mistake. So if you want to beat them you need to be tenth after tenth faster to close that gap. It's not anything that will benefit. It's a very intense battle. Very fair, very respectful. Even the overtaking possibility that we had on the DRS. For me when I pass Lewis that you can trust what he's doing. He will defend hard but within the limits. Same at the start. There is a sense of awareness and respect that is not sometimes in other parts.''

Hamilton has little to add to the earlier words and feels especially privileged to fight with Verstappen and Alonso. ''This is quite an iconic top three. I don't know if there has been a top three like this before. Hopefully there will be more. As Fernando said there is a lot of respect between us as we were able to be out to a race so closely and trusting one another. I'm really hoping at some stage we have more level playing field in our cars  and then we will have a much more exciting race in the future,'' Hamilton concluded.