Lewis Hamilton empathizes with Sebastian Vettel's current plight, insisting his former arch-rival's resolve in the face of adversity is a testimony to the German driver's "great character".
Vettel will leave Ferrari at the end of the season and so far the signs point to a paltry departure through the back door for the four-time world champion who once said that his business would remain unfinished until he brought the title back to the House of Maranello.
Vettel won't fulfill that ambition, barred from victory by the Scuderia's depressed level of performance and a seemingly dissolving relationship with his team.
©Ferrari
"I’ve made comments in the past, but I saw the difficult race he had had previously [at Silverstone], and all I can try to do is empathize with the position he’s in and try to be understanding," Hamilton said as he assessed Vettel's predicament.
"Because it can never be a great feeling, to have been told that you’re not wanted to continue within the team, especially when you join a team and get into a team, you give your all, you give your heart.
"But I think the way he is pushing and the way he is continuing to try help the team, I think it just shows the great character he has and [his] commitment to racing.
"I hope that something really positive comes up for him moving forwards."
Hamilton and Vettel - who both made their F1 debut in 2007 - have had their battles and differences on the track. But through thick and thin, the fierce competition has never eroded their mutual respect.
Vettel has yet to decide his plans for 2021, but pundits continue to speculate about a move to Racing Point/Aston Martin Racing next year for the 33-year-old who confirmed talks with Lawrence Stroll's team.
"At this stage, I think it’s talks," Vettel told Formula1.com. "I said I have been in talks with Renault for example, it’s also talks. At a later stage with anyone I think it would become a bit more concrete.
"The truth is that there is nothing to announce and nothing more concrete than loose talks.
"I think the most important thing is that I’m happy with my choice and time will tell what the choice is. I’m not too stressed about it."
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