Lewis Hamilton has denied reports that he asked Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur to replace members of his operational staff amid claims of growing
tension within the Formula 1 team.
Italian publication Corriere della Sera had reported that Hamilton was pushing Vasseur to make a series of changes to Ferrari's operational personnel. The reports also suggested that the relationship between the seven-time world champion and Vasseur had become increasingly strained.
Hamilton has now rejected the claims, saying he wanted to "clear it up" directly.
"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," Hamilton wrote on his Instagram story.
Lewis Hamilton backs his Ferrari team
While Hamilton did not directly address the reports concerning his relationship with Vasseur, he made clear that he continues to support the people working around him at Ferrari.
🚨 | NEW: Lewis Hamilton releases a statement in relation to recent speculation pic.twitter.com/39Yo6zBb1X
- formularacers (@formularacers_) September 17, 2026
"Everyone I work with works hard every day, and their dedication is what moves us forward," he said.
"I always try to empower and lift people to be the best versions of themselves or at least see the best in themselves. "
The comments come during a difficult period in Hamilton's first full season with Ferrari. The Briton suffered his first retirement of the 2026 campaign at the Spanish Grand Prix after a braking-system failure forced him out of the race.
The latest reports had raised questions about whether Ferrari could undergo changes within its operational structure, but Hamilton's statement directly contradicts the claim that he had personally requested staff replacements.
For now, Hamilton has publicly positioned himself behind his existing team as Ferrari continues its 2026 campaign.
