Rosberg thinks Hamilton could retire soon

Nico Rosberg thinks that his former team-mate Lewis Hamilton could retire sooner rather than later after the Mercedes driver admitted at points during the 2017 season that it is not his wish to continue travelling as much as the Formula One calendar requires.

Lewis Hamilton recently claimed his fourth world title with two Grand Prix races to spare this season and is now level with his Ferrari rival, Sebastian Vettel, who is also on four. Only Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher have won more championships.

However, Rosberg believes that some comments made by Hamilton this year indicate he could be thinking about retirement.

"He has hinted this year that he doesn't want to spend so much time travelling,” the German told news agency DPA.

“He wouldn't do that if he wasn't thinking of it at least a little.”

Rosberg shocked the Formula One world when he retired himself after claiming his first world title last year, something Hamilton sympathised with, saying at the time:

"I can empathise, and really understand in some ways, the feeling of wanting to stop and do something different."

More recent comments from Hamilton would suggest that he is not thinking about retiring, though, as he remains hungry for more success in the sport and wants to sign a new contract with Mercedes.

"It is quite an easy process for us," Hamilton said in regards to contract negotiations.

"We already have something in place and it's really just about extending it and enhancing it, working on what more I can do for them, for the sponsors, the brand and vice versa.

"But I'm pretty sure within the next month or so we will have had time to have sat down.

"Now all the pressure is off, we can go and enjoy these next couple of races."