Williams driver Felipe Massa believes his former team-mate, Fernando Alonso, could choose to retire if his current team fails to produce a winning package soon.
The McLaren-Honda partnership has got off to a difficult start with neither Alonso or team-mate Jenson Button yet to score a point in the opening four races of the season.
Massa, who spent four years working alongside the Spaniard at Ferrari, has warned McLaren that it must improve otherwise Alonso will likely walk away from the project.
“Alonso is not an easy person,” the Brazilian told UOL Esporte. “He needs results. He has a personality of wanting only to be in front.
“This year he will endure working with the team, but if next year things do not change, he could think again.
“I don’t know what he would do. Maybe he would end his career.”
Massa, like many, believed the McLaren-Honda partnership would have started in a stronger position than it currently finds itself, but fully expects them to take a step forward next year.
“It was also clear that it would not be easy for them,” he said. “The new regulations are very complicated and it takes a bit of time, just as it did for Ferrari and Renault.
“Honda is a year behind those teams but they will improve and have a more competitive time in 2016.”