Verstappen sees no reason for Hamilton to withdraw from F1

In the wake of the Abu Dhabi controversy, Max Verstappen doesn't want his 2021 championship rival Lewis Hamilton to leave F1.

Questions were raised about Hamilton's future in F1 after the dramatic Abu Dhabi title battle, with the seven-time champion saying "see you next year" when asked about his plans after the match.

Mercedes team manager Toto Wolff spoke publicly about the ordeal for the first time on Thursday and cannot give any guarantees about Hamilton's F1 future. However, Verstappen sees no reason for Hamilton to quit F1.

Speaking at the FIA awards gala, which Hamilton and Wolf did not attend, Verstappen said: "Of course, I can understand that in the first few days after such a game, you are not happy and you should also understand that this is the game and these things have the potential to happen to you. I think he should look back on what he has achieved, which will give him a lot of comfort and keep him going. He's still struggling to challenge for an eighth world title and he can challenge again next year, so I don't see any reason to give up or stop now. ”

Verstappen went on to explain that he was not sympathetic to Hamilton and how his championship challenge ended, but reiterated that he could understand the initial setbacks.

He said: "No, I'm not sorry for him, but I can understand that it would be very painful. That's the game, you just have to fight until the end, you know anything can happen in the game, he's won the championship that way, I think he can understand. ”

From the end of the season to the present, Verstappen said he and Red Bull had been celebrating their success on the track and they were not worried about Mercedes' appeal. And just on Thursday, Mercedes confirmed they would not continue to appeal.