Emerson Fittipaldi has backed Lewis Hamilton to keep fighting in 2017.

Some believe that the reigning world champion is now in 'meltdown' as his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg races towards the 2016 title.

"I do not understand what is happening [with Hamilton]," F1 legend and former world champion Fittipaldi told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

"But he is a natural talent and I don't think he is willing to give up."

Also commenting on the 2016 title battle is former McLaren driver David Coulthard, who told Spain's AS newspaper: "I think Lewis has been a great champion for the past two years.

"But the races decide the outcome and if Nico wins the championship I don't anything could say that he doesn't deserve it."

Also at the DTM finale at Hockenheim, Coulthard's former teammate Mika Hakkinen added: "I think if Lewis can be consistent for the remainder of the season, the rest of the season will be really interesting."

However, when pressed for who will actually triumph, Fittipaldi said: "This year, I think Rosberg."

Hamilton trails Rosberg by 33 points heading into this weekend's United States Grand Prix.