Rosberg wanted Hamilton to stay

Nico Rosberg admits he's not the best person to comment, but "really hopes" Lewis Hamilton will continue to fight for the championship next season.

The German announced a few days after winning the 2016 world championship that he had achieved his ultimate goal of retiring from F1. Of course, he beat his Mercedes team mate Hamilton. Five years later, the Briton ceded the driver's crown to Max Verstappen again, this time under more controversial circumstances.

The defeat, which prevented Hamilton from a record-breaking eighth world title, has sparked speculation that the 36-year-old may decide to quit F1 because of what he feels is unjust.

Rosberg, who wants to see Hamilton and Verstappen go on another race, said: "It's absolutely heartbreaking for him (Hamilton) because until the four laps before the end of the race he almost certainly goes to be the world champion and then with the change of procedure or whatever you want to call it, he suddenly loses the world title. So it's hard to accept. But of course I hope he can come back to the field next year and fight for the world championship. We really hope so. Of course, I'm not the one who should say that, because I disappeared into the distance after winning the title, so it's not fair to say that, but I do hope that Lewis and Max will play off again next year. ”

Rosberg, who sees the two protagonists on a different "planet" from the other drivers, said: "These two guys are fantastic, Lewis was, or still is, the best wheel-to-wheel driver, and now comes to Verstappen, who has excelled in wheel-to-wheel racing, sometimes even better than him. It's unbelievable to see their technology, to see their efforts. They were like on their own planet, far beyond anyone else. So I hope next year we can see them again. But next year there will be a whole new rule, so there may be another team joining the fight for the championship and I think next year we will have another great season. ”