1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has suggested Lewis Hamilton's mentality could stop him from sticking around the sport in the near future.
Hamilton has signed with Ferrari, joining the Italian squad following a highly successful 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 is not a concern for the seven-time champion.
“It depends if Lewis Hamilton has the same hunger as Fernando Alonso or not,” Villeneuve told Action Network.
“He still wants one championship, and he wants it with Ferrari. So that should be enough to give him the hunger.
“But if the going gets tough, will he just think, 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 ready to give it all, to do all the training necessary, to go to bed, wake up in the morning and think only about that and focus,” he said.
“At some point in your life, maybe it loses its importance or its priority. And that's when you go down. Not because there's a physical direct effect.
“It is draining but at the same time, it's what keeps you alive. It's what drives you. And you realise when you stop it, you realise two months into it, ‘Gosh, this is boring.’
“You need that lifestyle. You need that adrenaline rush that you keep going. If you're passionate, if it's something you really love, it's a drug.
“Take Nico Rosberg, he was happier not racing. That's just not the same level of passion.”
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