Nico Hulkenberg has no problems with Max Verstappen

Nico Hulkenberg has said he doesn't have a problem with Max Verstappen.

19-year-old Dutchman Verstappen is courted a lot of controversy this year due to his aggressive driving style.

But German driver Hulkenberg thinks that Verstappen is good for the sport, telling Dutch talk show Pauw: "Max is a bit of a rebel at the moment. He's a tough racer, but I think it's good.

"I think it's part of the game," he added.

"He drives with his elbows a little bit out, and what he does is sometimes extreme, as he is sometimes very late," Hulkenberg said, referring to the Red Bull driver's most controversial defensive manoeuvres.

"So he gives the car behind very little chance to do something else. There will be incidents, but that's racing," he insisted.

Hulkenberg also joked that drivers could be in for a long briefing in Brazil this weekend.

"The next briefing will probably be long, so I'll bring something to eat," he laughed. "If Sebastian starts talking about Max, it will take a long time.

"There is a little bit of friction," Hulkenberg continued, "but it's competition and that's part of it. That's what racing is and what people want to see."