Lewis Hamilton has responded to reports he has called for changes at Ferrari after two difficult weekends at Monza and Madrid.

Hamilton has fallen 101 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli with nine rounds to go, having scored just eight points in the last two races. Ferrari brought an upgraded engine to their home event at the Italian Grand Prix but Hamilton only finished sixth, while Charles Leclerc crashed out, before a brake problem caused Hamilton to suffer his first retirement of the season in Madrid.

This week, reports in the Italian media have stated the seven-time world champion has been pushing team principal Frederic Vasseur to make operational changes, but Hamilton took to Instagram on Thursday to shut down the rumours. "I've never asked for anyone on my team to be replaced," he wrote.

Hamilton called for "rules of engagement" at Ferrari after he was forced wide into the gravel by team-mate Leclerc at the Italian Grand Prix on the opening lap. Hopes of a record-breaking eighth world title have diminished since the summer break with Hamilton not scoring a podium in the last five races.