Max Verstappen has said it hurts to see Lewis Hamilton enduring a difficult time in F1, having experienced a difficult first campaign with Ferrari.
The seven-time F1 drivers' champion switched to the Scuderia at the start of the 2025 season, but failed to record a podium finish for the first time in his career.
Ending the year 86 points adrift of Charles Leclerc in the other SF-25, the British driver often cut a dejected figure during post-session media duties, leading the speculation that he would walk away from F1, despite his contract running until the end of next year.
The 105-time grand prix winner has insisted he will be back and that he wants to continue racing for longer than his current deal, but there are increasing calls for him to retire amid his poor performance.
Ferrari also underwhelmed, which did not help Hamilton's cause, but the disparity in results between the 40-year-old and his team-mate was evident, even if their pace was more closely aligned than points and podiums might indicate.
In particular, Hamilton struggled over one lap, and he ended the campaign on a run of three successive Q1 eliminations in qualifying; his worst run since mid-2009.
However, it brings no joy to his great adversary. Speaking in his end-of-season Viaplay interview, the Red Bull driver sympathised with his former rival's plight.
When asked whether he would quit F1 were he in Hamilton's position, the Dutchman swerved the specific question, but shared his belief the Ferrari driver would continue.
"Well, nice and direct!" Verstappen replied. "It has obviously not been a nice season for him at Ferrari.
"You notice that in everything, including the on-board radio," he added before the interview cut in to say: "I have to tell you, it really hurts to see him like that."
The four-time F1 drivers' champion agreed: "For me, too, to be honest. I don't like seeing that.
"Stopping, I don't know, because I don't think he's giving up. Lewis will definitely be there."
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