Fernando Alonso has given his verdict on Lewis Hamilton’s current plight.

Fernando Alonso spoke about Lewis Hamilton ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix (Image: GETTY)

Lewis Hamilton has found an unlikely supporter in Fernando Alonso after being urged to retire from Formula One. The seven-time world champion has endured a tough start to life at Ferrari since leaving Mercedes at the end of last season. He has failed to get on the podium in 14 attempts and sits 42 points adrift of team-mate Charles Leclerc in the individual standings.

The veteran Brit had a nightmare weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the summer break. He was dumped out of qualifying in Q2 and failed to get into the top 10 the next day, meaning he left Budapest without any points. After qualifying, he described himself as ‘useless’ and even suggested that Ferrari should replace him with another driver.

It has led to speculation that Hamilton could quit F1 before his Ferrari contract runs down, but Alonso is convinced that his former rival will eventually hit his stride.

“I think from the outside you never know for sure what is going on, but I don’t know,” said the Spaniard, who had a tense relationship with Hamilton during their time together at McLaren.

“Lewis doesn’t need to prove anything, he’s an incredible driver and he will figure out sooner or later to be at the top pace. So, you know, he and the team Ferrari will be always a combo that you need to respect a lot.”

It comes after former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone suggested that Hamilton has overstayed his welcome in the sport, urging him to accept defeat and walk away.

“Like a lot of leading sports personalities when they reach the top, there is only one way to go and it’s not a good direction, it’s only down,” the 94-year-old told the Daily Mail.

“They get tired. Lewis is tired. He’s been doing what he is doing forever. He needs a rest from it for good, a total reset to do something completely different. He may not think it, but he will soon get used to doing other stuff away from motor racing.

“I think he should have done it a while ago. The guy is not a cheat, but he would be cheating himself if he goes on. He should stop now.

“If I were looking after him I would negotiate with Ferrari immediately and say: ‘If you have someone to replace Lewis, he’ll step aside’. If I were Lewis, I would say to Ferrari that I wanted to be paid all my contract, in full.

“They signed him because they thought he could do a job. ‘It isn’t working so I can make way if you want me to’… but that’s the arrangement.”