After qualifying, Hamilton branded himself “useless” and implied the team would be better off changing drivers. The 40-year-old also suggested all was not well with the Scuderia, adding: “A lot is going on in the background that’s not great.”

Vasseur has regularly defended his driver, stating that fans and pundits have ‘got to stop’ scrutinising his performances so intensely given he’s in new car. He’s now hit out in a media conference after being asked if the 40-year-old was currently worth his huge contract.

“I’m not sure that I understand your question, or if I understand. It’s not a good one,” he his back. “We are taking drivers because we want to compete in the championship and to score points and to win races.”

Hamilton is sixth in the drivers’ standings, 42 points behind Leclerc. Ferrari are second in the constructors’ race, but are 299 points behind McLaren, with the destination of the team title already a formality.

The seven-time world champion arrived from Mercedes on a two-year deal at the end of last season. He’s reportedly on a base salary of £45.1million a year.

His only win in red came at the Saturday sprint race in China. Hamilton’s last actual Grand Prix victory came more than 12 months ago with the Silver Arrows at the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix.