Monday 10 November at 11:58 : Nov.10 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton's loyalty to McLaren may be tested if the Mercedes-powered team stops providing him with a winning car

That is the belief of retiring British veteran David Coulthard, who was commenting on 2008 world champion Hamilton's claim that he wants to spend his entire career with the Woking based team

"In terms of trying to achieve wins it would be silly of him to stay with McLaren if the car wasn't performing," Scot Coulthard is quoted as saying by The Sun

Hamilton was groomed and financed throughout his junior racing career by Ron Dennis' team, culminating in his current long-term contract

But 37-year-old Coulthard believes trying to predict the future is futile for Hamilton

"He wants to win and you would expect him to say that now because they're on top of the world," he explained

"But I don't think he needs to talk about the future beyond enjoying this world championship success and next year's bid

"None of us knows what the future holds," Coulthard said