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Formula One 2016
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Lewis Hamilton (left) with Fernando Alonso. Photo: AFP

He’s done enough: Lewis Hamilton says Fernando Alonso retirement is a real possibility

The former double champion produced one of the surprises in Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix by jumping from 22nd on the grid to finish seventh, but on the whole has endured another miserable campaign since returning to McLaren

Fernando Alonso’s imminent retirement from Formula One is a real possibility, world champion Lewis Hamilton said, adding that he hoped the Spaniard would decide to carry on.

Former double champion Alonso produced one of the surprises in Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix by jumping from 22nd on the grid to finish seventh, but on the whole has endured another miserable campaign since returning to McLaren.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Hamilton called Alonso “one of the best drivers of all time” but admitted his former teammate could quit the sport.

Asked if the Spaniard retiring was a “real possibility”, Hamilton said: “Of course it is. He’s 35 and he’s already earned enough money.

Fernando Alonso at Spa-Francorchamps ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. Photo: AFP

“He has won enough races, he has enough experience and he doesn’t need Formula One to be someone anymore.”

Nevertheless, Hamilton said he hoped the Spaniard would go on, with his contract with McLaren expiring at the end of the 2017 campaign.

“If he quit next year and I couldn’t race against him again, that would be a shame, a real shame,” added Hamilton, who is bidding to win a third consecutive world title this season to add to his first triumph in 2008.

“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.

Lewis Hamilton on the podium following the Belgian Grand Prix. Photo: AFP

“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.”

Alonso is 11th in the drivers’ standings on 30 points, 202 behind current leader Hamilton and has not achieved a podium finish since 2014 and he had a serious crash in the Australian Grand Prix in March.

Alonso has previously brushed off suggestions that he could retire and in April reacted angrily to Formula One pundit and former driver Johnny Herbert telling him he should quit.

WATCH Fernando Alonso confronts Johnny Herbert

Last week in Spa ahead of the Belgium Grand Prix, however, the Spaniard floated the idea of ending his 15-year career in the sport next year due to recent changes in the sport’s regulations.

“I think if the cars are fun to drive, I will probably stay longer and drive more years in Formula One, and if the cars are still giving me the feeling that I have in the last couple of years probably I will stop,” Alonso said.

WATCH Fernando Alonso’s crash at the 2016 Australian Grand Prix

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Hamilton says Alonso retirement is a real possibility
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