Lewis Hamilton says it would be a "real shame" if Fernando Alonso quits Formula One without being given another shot at a title.
Alonso has a contract with McLaren for 2017 and has made clear that his long-term future in F1 will depend on how the sport changes under new regulations next year. But Hamilton is concerned there might be a risk Alonso retires early if he no longer feels the motivation to continue in F1.
"Of course it is [a possibility]," Hamilton told Spanish newspaper AS. "He's 35 and he's already earned enough money. He has won enough races, he has enough experience and he doesn't need Formula One to be someone anymore."
Hamilton was teammates with Alonso in 2007 and despite a bitter battle for the title, Alonso recently told ESPN he would like to go up against the British driver again in the future. Hamilton said he hopes Alonso stays in the sport long enough so that they can rekindle their rivalry on track in similarly matched cars.
"If he quit next year and I couldn't race against him again, that would be a shame, a real shame. It wouldn't be good for this sport and it would send out the wrong message. Formula One would not be the same if Alonso didn't continue.
"I still think he is one of the best drivers around, I've always said that. I really hope McLaren can make him a car that would allow him to win again, and so I can compete against him again."