F1 champion poses key question to Hamilton critics: 'If the fire is still there, why retire?'

After a difficult first season with Ferrari, the seven-time world champion has finally rediscovered his best form, securing a string of podium finishes before completing his resurgence with a superb victory in Barcelona last weekend. The result further strengthened his position as Kimi Antonelli's closest challenger in the championship battle.

Speaking on Sky F1's show, Villeneuve said he never understood the calls for Hamilton to retire, arguing that a difficult spell should not be enough to force a champion out of the sport. The Canadian believes drivers should continue competing for as long as they retain the motivation and passion to do so, suggesting that fans are often more concerned about protecting a driver's legacy than the driver is himself.

Villeneuve believes Hamilton's recent resurgence is proof that the criticism he faced was misplaced. The Canadian pointed to the adjustments made by the Ferrari driver behind the scenes, including changes to his working methods and setup preferences, which eventually helped him feel more comfortable with the car and unlock stronger performances. According to him, natural talent does not simply disappear with age. Instead, success depends on a driver's willingness to keep making sacrifices, continue working relentlessly and remain open to self-improvement.

Villeneuve believes Ferrari could soon face an important decision in its fight against Mercedes, particularly if Hamilton continues to outperform Leclerc in the championship battle. The 1997 world champion pointed out that Ferrari only recently committed to Leclerc with a long-term contract extension, yet it is Hamilton who is currently delivering the results needed to remain in title contention.

According to Villeneuve, that situation could create internal challenges within the team, especially if the gap between the two drivers continues to grow. With Hamilton still firmly in the championship fight and Leclerc losing ground, he suggested Ferrari may eventually need to prioritise the seven-time world champion if it wants to maximise its chances of challenging for the title.