Could Hamilton really be jealous of Rosberg?

Former Formula One driver Damon Hill thinks that Lewis Hamilton could be looking at Nico Rosberg's current freedom and lifestyle with jealousy, as he believes the current F1 champion is starting to get to the age when he would like a weekend off.

Hamilton has won four world titles so far in his career, with his current deal with Mercedes running out at the end of the 2018 season. He has been widely tipped to put pen to paper sooner rather than later, but Hill reckons his compatriot may be thinking twice about his future after seeing Rosberg enjoy retirement.

“He has to really want to race and carry on,” Hill told The Sun.

“He does have another life he wants to pursue elsewhere.

“Although he did not look like that in Barcelona last week, he looked as though he was really hooked up and enjoys what he is doing and can become champion again.

“But I wonder if Nico Rosberg’s retirement weighed on his mind a little bit. When you are an F1 driver, you hanker for the days when you can escape from it.

“It is a very tough life for a driver. You start thinking, especially in the mid-30s, about having a weekend off.”

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“He is powerful enough and a precious commodity in the sport and maybe just making them wait and sweat a bit. Mercedes might be sweating.”
“Lewis does a very good job of appearing innocent and not understanding but I think he has a very astute mind when it comes to what his power is in the sport," Hill continued.Hill ultimately believes that Hamilton holds all the cards in the contract negotiations such as his pedigree on the circuit, and thinks Mercedes could be sweating over their driver line-up in 2019.