‘Not a meltdown, but a statement’: Ex-driver sees Hamilton sending Ferrari a message

After qualifying in 12th, the seven-time world champion told Sky Sports that he is 'useless,' and maybe the team should 'replace the driver.'

Juan Pablo Montoya believes it's a 'statement,' rather than a 'meltdown' by the British driver.

"It’s a way of telling Ferrari, if you’re not going to listen to me, then you might as well take me out and let me go," the Colombian told a betting site.

The Colombian previous said that once Hamilton starts getting comfortable with the car, that could cause headaches for Charles Leclerc, and also sees the effort the Briton's putting in.

Montoya also sees Hamilton trying to establish something new within the Scuderia in order to secure results. He also added that Hamilton needing more people in his corner to succeed at the Italian team.

After the Hungarian Grand Prix, some suggested it would be better for Hamilton to just retire from the competition.

The former Williams driver doesn't think Hamilton just walk away. Even as he believes the car is not tailored to the world champion's style, he also thinks: "It’s a wakeup call. In the last couple of years when the Mercedes stopped being really good, I think he backed off in qualifying because there was no need. And I think to get it back is really difficult."

So far this year, Hamilton is yet to achieve his first podium with the Scuderia, but finished fourth on three different occasions. On the other, he could deliver the team its first ever Sprint victory in China early on in the season.