Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has posted a statement on Instagram dispelling rumours that he requested staff changes at Ferrari.
Italian publication Corriere della Sera recently claimed that Hamilton had asked for alterations to the staff that work for the Italian team, both on the whole and on his side of the garage.
There were also reports from the same source that his relationship with team principal Fred Vasseur had become strained and was not what it was when the Frenchman played a massive role in signing Hamilton to the Prancing Horse.
On Thursday, the Briton posted a photo of him with the whole team on his Instagram story, alongside a couple of paragraphs denying that he ever made such a plea.
While there is no comment on his relationship with Vasseur, the statement is a definitive one regarding the supposed request for changes.
The full Instagram story reads:
"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.
"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.
Ferrari and Hamilton have endured a turbulent season, at one point the seven-time F1 champion looked like the most likely competitor to runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli, but a series of strategy errors and reliability issues have seen him drop below compatriot George Russell in the season standings, while Antonelli has further increased his lead over the chasing pack.
This has seen frustration build within the garage, even extending to some frostiness between the Briton and teammate Charles Leclerc surrounding rules of engagement between the two on track, though that has also been played down in interviews with the media.
