2Fernando Alonso gave a classy response when asked about a Lewis Hamilton retirement suggestionCredit: Rex

2Alonso praised Hamilton for inspiring the rest of the gridCredit: AFP

They had a hostile relationship with one another when team-mates at McLaren.

However, they have since mellowed out and have a healthy respect for one another.

Alonso, 42, has not had great luck with many of the cars he has driven later in his career, with few wins to his name despite over-performing in them.

And when quizzed about whether Hamilton would have retired if he had experienced the same struggles, Alonso was not sure.

He told GQ Magazine: “It’s difficult to say. We have different personalities and motivations.

“Lewis always did really well to stay focused and competitive in the periods of his life when he didn’t have a competitive package.

“Those periods weren’t many, but he was always performing to a high level.

“Now he’s not having the best car, Red Bull is dominating, but he’s still fighting always. He’s chasing [Sergio] Perez in P2 and he’s never giving up.

“It motivates all of us to see how Lewis keeps the motivation after winning so many titles.”

Amid Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s domination, Hamilton is staring down a second season in a row without a win after previously winning a race in every season beforehand.

The next race will come at the Las Vegas Grand Prix next weekend.

It has been plagued by issues even before the Grand Prix weekend has commenced.

From furious fans and hospitality workers threatening to strike and scheduling issues and mixed opinions from drivers, it has been far from trouble-free.

And that is before the weather, which could be as low as 5º C, is taken into consideration.