P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has admitted it was painful to watch Lewis Hamilton struggle during his debut F1 season with Ferrari.
Max Verstappen expressed his empathy towards Lewis Hamilton’s tough debut season at Ferrari, citing the pain in watching his struggles.
Hamilton, who made the move from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025, faced challenges as he failed to secure a podium finish for the first time in his career.
The gap in results between Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc highlighted the struggles Ferrari faced in terms of competitiveness.
Verstappen pointed out the impact of the transition from Mercedes to Ferrari on Hamilton’s performance and mindset within the team.
Despite speculations about retirement, Hamilton indicated his determination to continue racing, as age and team dynamics remain significant obstacles for him at Ferrari.
Verstappen emphasized the difficulty of walking away from a lifelong career in Formula 1, acknowledging the deep connection Hamilton has with the sport.
