Hamilton: It 'wouldn't be right' for F1 if Alonso were to quit

The Spaniard has grown frustrated that modern grand prix racing is about managing tyres and fuel rather than being flat-out sprints.

Hamilton shares some of Alonso's unhappiness about the current generation of cars, and thinks it would be a sad indication about the state of F1 if the Spaniard chooses to walk away.

“He’s still regarded as one of the best, certainly by me, and I really hope McLaren provide him with a car he can win with, so I can race the guy,” Hamilton told Spanish newspaper El Pais.

“If he wants to retire next year, and I didn’t get to race with him again, it would be really sad. It would not be a good show of what this sport is.

“You can’t have someone as gifted as he is at the back and then stopping because he’s not getting another opportunity again. It wouldn’t be right.”

Threat real

Hamilton thinks that Alonso's comments are not a hollow threat about how serious he is about walking away.

When asked if he thought Alonso could follow through on his promise, Hamilton said: “For sure. He’s 35 years old, he’s made enough money, and he’s experienced enough.

“Formula 1 is not what defines him now. He’s a two-time world champion, a legend already. He can decide if he wants to stop, and ultimately he prepares himself every year to fight for a championship and he’s not getting the opportunity.

“He’s been really good over these years. I’d have probably been way worse if I was dead last, in a team which should and has won world championships.

“He’s handled it really well and for sure he’s grown a ton over these years and hopefully next year they’ll bring a car he can fight with.

"I want to see him continue and I want to fight with him.”

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