Lewis Hamilton has publicly addressed the circulating speculation that he has urged Ferrari to implement internal changes following two challenging outings at the Monza and Madrid circuits. The seven-time world champion, who currently trails championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 101 points with nine races remaining, has only managed to collect eight points across his last two events, a stark contrast to his usual performance standards. At the Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari introduced an upgraded power unit for their home race, yet Hamilton could only secure a sixth‑place finish while teammate Charles Leclerc suffered a crash that ended his run prematurely. The following weekend in Madrid, a brake failure forced Hamilton to retire for the first time this season, compounding his frustration and fueling media narratives about possible discontent within the team.
Italian newspapers reported that Hamilton had been pressuring team principal Frédéric Vasseur to overhaul certain operational aspects of the outfit. In response, Hamilton took to Instagram on Thursday to set the record straight.
He wrote, "I've seen some of the stories that have gone out and I want to clear it up here. I've never asked for anyone on my team to be replaced. Everyone I work with works hard every day, and their dedication is what moves us forward." He continued, "I always try to empower and lift people to be the best versions of themselves or at least see the best in themselves.
I may not always achieve that but it's my intention and what I'm here to do. We all work together and that will continue." The post emphasized his respect for the collective effort of the Mercedes staff and underscored that any suggestion of a demand for personnel changes was unfounded. Hamilton's message was clear: he values the hard work of his engineers, mechanics, and support crew, and he aims to foster a collaborative environment rather than sow division. The controversy also harkens back to an earlier incident at Monza, where Hamilton was forced wide into the gravel by Leclerc on the opening lap.
After the collision, Hamilton remarked that "the buck starts with Fred (Vasseur)," implying that the team leadership bore responsibility for the on‑track mishap. Ferrari subsequently held a meeting with both drivers, during which Leclerc admitted fault for the incident, acknowledging that his aggressive approach had contributed to the contact.
Since the summer break, Hamilton's aspirations for a record‑breaking eighth world title have dwindled. He has not stood on the podium in his last five races, a stark departure from his usual dominance. Nonetheless, he remains realistic about the championship battle.
After the Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton told Sky Sports F1, "I think there's no stopping him (Antonelli) and Mercedes this year. They've done a phenomenal job and they deserve it." His comments reflected both admiration for his rival's performance and an acceptance of the current points deficit.
Looking ahead, the Formula 1 calendar continues with a triple‑header weekend in Azerbaijan from September 24‑26, with the Baku race scheduled for Saturday. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, streamed via NOW with a flexible, no‑contract subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
In summary, Hamilton has categorically denied any allegations that he has asked for changes within Ferrari. He stressed his commitment to teamwork, praised the dedication of his own crew, and acknowledged the competitive prowess of his rivals. While his championship hopes have faded, he remains focused on contributing to the sport and supporting his team as the season draws to a close.