Max Verstappen has given his thoughts on whether long-term rival Lewis Hamilton will retire after a disastrous season for the Briton.
Hamilton ended 2025 sixth in the Drivers' Standings, finishing 86 points behind his teammate Charles Leclerc and without a single Grand Prix podium.
It marked the first time in his 19-year Formula 1 career that he went an entire season without standing on the podium, having previously never ended a year with fewer than five top-three finishes.
After the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Hamilton admitted it had been the worst season of his career and said he was not looking forward to 2026.
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He remained downbeat over the final month of the campaign and following the season finale in Abu Dhabi, spoke about 'unplugging from the matrix'.
Despite rumours that Hamilton could retire from Formula 1, it is widely expected that he will return with Ferrari again next year.
Now Red Bull's Verstappen, who controversially beat Hamilton to the world title in 2021, has weighed in on his future.
The Dutchman told Viaplay: "It hasn't been a nice season for him at Ferrari, you notice that with everything.
"I have to say, it hurts my heart.''
"To be honest, it hurts mine as well, it's not nice to see.
"So quitting? I don't know, he doesn't give up so he'll definitely be there [next year] but it's not nice to see.''
Hamilton moved to Ferrari at the start of 2025 in the hope of winning a record eighth world title and the Scuderia's first championship since 2008.
However, both the team and the Briton struggled, as Ferrari went the entire season without a single Grand Prix victory.
Hamilton will hope Ferrari's decision to switch focus to next year's car earlier than usual can provide an advantage ahead of incoming regulation changes.
Changes to the power unit, chassis and aerodynamics are expected to cause the biggest shake-up of the grid in years.
Even if Ferrari are more competitive next season, it remains to be seen whether Hamilton can outscore Leclerc, who secured seven podium finishes in 2025.
Despite those concerns, Hamilton has rejected any suggestion he could leave Ferrari.
He told RacingNews365: "I wouldn't say anything to them.
"None of them has done what I've done, so they don't know anything more than I do."
Hamilton has also made it clear that his passion for motorsport remains, with his desire to break records within Formula 1 appearing to be intact.
"It's a love for what you do, it's love for racing," he said.
"I've got amazing support from people around me, my fans.
"It's that constant keeping an eye on the dream, I still have a dream that I hold hope in my heart for, and that's what I work towards."
Topics: Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Ferrari, Motorsport
James Taylor