Hamilton gets support: 'Got taken away from him in a way'

Lewis Hamilton is still trying to come to terms with the past season. During the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Briton was on track for his eighth world title, but lost out to Max Verstappen on the final lap. Nico Rosberg admits he feels sorry for his former team-mate.

Although they were best friends during their karting days, Rosberg and Hamilton's relationship turned sour at Mercedes. In 2016, both men competed for the world title, with Rosberg coming out on top. During that season, the drivers had little respect for each other on track and they drove each other off the track on several occasions.

When Rosberg won the world championship, he decided to leave Formula 1 immediately. Since then he has been following the exploits of his former team-mate from a distance, and he watched the race in Abu Dhabi with great interest. Partly due to a decision by the race committee, Verstappen was able to take the world title after this GP. "It was heart-breaking for him", Rosberg admits to Sky Sports.

Rosberg thinks Hamilton will continue

According to various rumours, Hamilton is thinking of quitting his Formula One career because of the disappointment. However, Rosberg does not expect it to come to that. "Of course, I do count on him being back on the grid next year and fighting to get back that World Championship that kind of got taken away from him in a way."