F1 ‘tarnished by infighting’
Speaking ahead of Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix at which Hamilton could become world champion, the last Briton to wear motor racing's greatest crown fears F1 is almost as tarnished as the Tour de France.
Hill said: 'It is shameful that in his first season, Lewis is forced to come out with a statement to the effect that he's not sure he wants to be here if it's like this.
'He said he felt disillusioned with the business and political elements of Formula One. I can understand that. I sometimes wonder if the sport deserves him. He's come in fresh-faced and willing and it seems as if people are determined to make life difficult for him.'
Hamilton's exploits on the track have been accompanied by intrigue off it, most notably the espionage row which culminated in his McLaren team being fined a record £50million for 'spying' on Ferrari.
The controversy, with fresh twists emerging almost daily for three months, made headline news around the world.
And while Hill acknowledges that 'show business' is part of F1's allure, he is scathing about the governing FIA's role in the incident.
He said: 'I don't think it was dealt with in the right way. It was an unnecessary distraction. I don't know how it is that one team (Ferrari) are able to influence the people who are supposedly independent and even-handed.
'I think there was a bit of blame on either side (Ferrari and McLaren). It's the job of the authorities to bang heads together and get everyone to clean up their acts and get on with the show.' Daily Mail