MONACO -- Lewis Hamilton believes a good level of respect exists between himself and title rival Max Verstappen, but says the Red Bull driver still acts like "he has a lot to prove".
Hamilton was speaking ahead of this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, following four races of close competition with Verstappen so far this season.
The seven-time world champion, who drives for Mercedes, has a 14-point lead over Verstappen after winning three of the first four races, but at every round so far, the two drivers have found themselves fighting each other for position on track.
Speaking at a recent press conference, McLaren CEO Zak Brown said he believed a collision between Hamilton and Verstappen was inevitable at some point this year, but Hamilton hopes the two drivers will keep their racing clean.