Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Hamilton Denies Seeking Ferrari Staff Changes Amid Strategy Tensions
Lewis Hamilton drives for the Ferrari Formula 1 team.
A report said he wanted some Ferrari staff members replaced.
Hamilton said that was not true.
He praised the team for working hard and said they should continue working together.
During some races, he has questioned Ferrari’s decisions over the radio.
He once asked whether he was being used as a “guinea pig” during the Dutch Grand Prix.
Hamilton said his comments came from wanting to win.
He is third in the championship standings but has gone five races without finishing on the podium.
Lewis Hamilton said he never asked Ferrari to replace any staff members.
His comments followed an Italian report claiming he wanted changes to Ferrari’s trackside team.
Hamilton praised Ferrari employees’ dedication and said the team would continue working together.
He has questioned Ferrari’s strategy over team radio during several recent races.
Hamilton remains third in the standings after retiring from last week’s Spanish Grand Prix.
- Who
- Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari staff, team principal Fred Vasseur, and Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc.
- What
- Hamilton denied asking Ferrari to replace staff and defended the team’s dedication amid criticism of race strategy.
- When
- Hamilton made the statement Thursday, following a report published Tuesday; he also referred to recent races and last week’s Spanish Grand Prix.
- Where
- The statement was made in connection with Ferrari’s Maranello operations and was posted on Instagram.
- Why
- Hamilton said he wanted to correct reports about staff changes and emphasize that his strategy complaints came from a desire to win.
Hamilton’s Position
Reported Concerns
Staff changes
Hamilton’s Position
Hamilton said he has never asked for any Ferrari staff members to be replaced and praised their dedication.
Reported Concerns
A report in Corriere della Sera claimed Hamilton had requested changes to Ferrari’s trackside staff.
Relationship with team leadership
Hamilton’s Position
Hamilton said everyone works together and that collaboration will continue.
Reported Concerns
The report said his relationship with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was strained.
Race strategy
Hamilton’s Position
Hamilton said his radio complaints reflected his desire to win and his frustration at seeing Mercedes execute strategy decisions quickly.
Reported Concerns
His radio exchanges included questioning Ferrari’s decisions and asking whether he was being used as a “guinea pig” at the Dutch Grand Prix.
- Team
- Ferrari
- Driver
- Lewis Hamilton
- Championship position
- Third in the standings
- Points gap
- Hamilton is 101 points behind standings leader Kimi Antonelli
- Recent result
- Retired from last week’s Spanish Grand Prix
- Podium drought
- Five consecutive races without a podium finish
- First Ferrari win
- Hamilton won at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in June