Lewis Hamilton responded to the information that pointed to an alleged request from him to make changes to the Ferrari personnel and assured that he has never requested the replacement of any of the team members.
The seven-time world champion reacted after the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera published that Hamilton had requested changes to Ferrari’s track staff and that his relationship with the team’s boss, Fred Vasseur, was going through a moment of tension.
“I have seen some of the stories that have come out and I want to clarify it here. I have never asked that anyone on my team be replaced. Everyone I work with works hard every day and their dedication is what keeps us moving forward,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram alongside a photo with dozens of Ferrari members.
The British driver also highlighted his intention to strengthen the work group and defended the work of the Italian team’s employees.
“I always try to empower and help people to be the best version of themselves or, at least, to see the best in themselves. I may not always succeed, but that is my intention and that is what I am here for. We all work together and that is how it will continue to be,” he added.
Hamilton has questioned some Ferrari decisions
Hamilton’s statements come after several episodes in which the driver has expressed his frustration on the radio with certain strategic decisions by Ferrari during the season.
At last month’s Dutch Grand Prix, the Briton even asked if he was being used as a “guinea pig” for the team’s strategy. He also showed his annoyance that his teammate Charles Leclerc could keep him restrained for part of the race.
After that test, Hamilton explained that his messages responded to his desire to win and acknowledged that it was “difficult” to see how his former team, Mercedes, immediately executed certain strategic decisions.
Hamilton seeks to regain rhythm with Ferrari
Hamilton achieved his first victory with Ferrari in June at the Barcelona-Catalonia Grand Prix and is currently third in the championship.
However, his abandonment in the last Spanish Grand Prix widened the gap with respect to the championship leader, Kimi Antonelli, to 101 points.
In addition, the British driver has accumulated five consecutive races without being on the podium, a streak that he will seek to end as Ferrari tries to regain ground in the fight for the championship.
