Max Verstappen Breaks Silence on Lewis Hamilton’s Disastrous Ferrari Debut: “It Hurts to Watch!”
In an eye-opening revelation, Max Verstappen has candidly shared his feelings about Lewis Hamilton’s tumultuous transition to Ferrari, marking a shocking downturn in the legendary driver’s illustrious career. Hamilton, who made the high-stakes switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, has faced a brutal awakening as he struggles to find his footing with the Scuderia.
The seven-time World Champion has experienced an unprecedented season, finishing without a single podium—a first in his remarkable journey through Formula 1. The disparity in performance between Hamilton and his teammate, Charles Leclerc, is staggering, with Hamilton trailing a staggering 86 points behind the young star in the SF-25.
But the woes don’t stop there. Hamilton’s qualifying sessions have been a nightmare, culminating in three consecutive Q1 eliminations, a harrowing statistic that resonates with his worst qualifying performance since 2009. His despair has become palpable, leading to rampant speculation about his future in the sport. While Hamilton has firmly dismissed retirement rumors, insisting he intends to continue racing, the pressure is mounting.
Verstappen, currently reigning as the World Champion with Red Bull, expressed his sympathy for Hamilton’s plight during a candid interview with Viaplay. “It has obviously not been a nice season for him at Ferrari,” he stated, revealing the raw emotion behind his words. “You notice that in everything, including the onboard radio. I have to tell you, it really hurts to see him like that.”
The Dutch driver emphasized that he too finds the situation disheartening. “Stopping, I don’t know, because I don’t think he’s giving up. Lewis will definitely be there,” Verstappen added, alluding to the ongoing challenges Hamilton faces.
Verstappen didn’t shy away from outlining the hurdles Hamilton must overcome in his new environment. The transition from Mercedes—where he forged a second family and built a legendary career—to Ferrari, has proven to be a monumental challenge. “If you don’t feel secure or comfortable within the team dynamic, you cannot be yourself, and that has an impact,” Verstappen explained. He underscored the difficulty of going head-to-head with a teammate like Charles Leclerc, who has been entrenched in the Ferrari culture for a considerable time.
Adding fuel to the fire, Verstappen pointed out the undeniable factor of age working against Hamilton. As the Brit approaches his 41st birthday in January, Verstappen highlighted, “Age is not on your side. You are not going to become faster at that age; not necessarily slower, but definitely not faster, whereas Charles is still getting better, so that is also not helping him.”
With Hamilton under contract with Ferrari for the next two seasons, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Verstappen poignantly concluded, “If this is your life, then it is very hard to step away from,” reflecting on the deep emotional investment Hamilton has in the sport.
As the Formula 1 world watches closely, one question looms large: Can Lewis Hamilton turn his fortunes around at Ferrari, or has the racing icon reached a critical crossroads in his career? The narrative is unfolding, and fans can only hold their breath as this dramatic saga continues.









