1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has recommended Lewis Hamilton’s mentality might cease him from sticking across the sport within the close to future.
Hamilton has signed with Ferrari, becoming a member of the Italian squad following a extremely profitable 12-year stint with Mercedes.
At 40 years of age, Hamilton is the second-oldest driver on the grid after former team-mate Fernando Alonso.
Villeneuve was questioned about Hamilton’s longevity in F1 and asserted his physicality just isn’t a priority for the seven-time champion.
“It relies upon if Lewis Hamilton has the identical starvation as Fernando Alonso or not,” Villeneuve advised Motion Community.
“He nonetheless desires one championship, and he desires it with Ferrari. In order that ought to be sufficient to provide him the starvation.
“But when the going will get robust, will he simply assume, will I be [a fighter and warrior like Alonso or will he think it’s time do something else with my life?
“But physically there’s no issue. He’s super fit, he’s super strong, he can go on another 10 years, there’s no problem there. But it’s all in the head and his desire.
“It’s always like that with sports. Age is not the issue.”
Villeneuve outlines out Hamilton mentality importance
Hamilton endured a difficult final three seasons at Mercedes as the Brackley-based outfit slipped back in the pecking order.
It led to Hamilton being left dejected on several occasions and declaring he was “not fast anymore” after qualifying in Qatar.
Villeneuve stated Hamilton’s mental approach and his love for F1 will be the only determining factor for his future.
“It’s how [mentally] are you prepared to provide all of it, to do all of the coaching vital, to go to mattress, get up within the morning and assume solely about that and focus,” he mentioned.
“Sooner or later in your life, possibly it loses its significance or its precedence. And that is whenever you go down. Not as a result of there is a bodily direct impact.
“It’s draining however on the identical time, it is what retains you alive. It is what drives you. And also you realise whenever you cease it, you realise two months into it, ‘Gosh, that is boring.’
“You want that life-style. You want that adrenaline rush that you simply hold going. For those who’re passionate, if it is one thing you actually love, it is a drug.
“Take Nico Rosberg, he was happier not racing. That is simply not the identical degree of ardour.”
