Lewis Hamilton has been told to "make it clear" he is prepared to leave Mercedes for another Formula 1 team if he wants his public criticism to have the desired effect.
In the wake of a poor performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton made his feelings very clear. Despite a message of support to staff over the radio after the race, he was much more critical when speaking to the BBC.
Speaking about the W14, which again looks to be less than competitive, he told the Chequered Flag podcast: "Last year, I told them the issues that are with the car. I've driven so many cars in my life, so I know what a car needs, I know what a car doesn't need.
"And I think it's really about accountability, it's about owning up and saying 'yeah, you know what, we didn't listen to you, it's not where it needs to be and we've got to work'."
His dissatisfaction of the situation he is in again this year has led to suggestions Hamilton might be tempted to leave. It remains to be seen whether Hamilton's loyalty to Mercedes is stronger than his obvious desire to win an eighth world title.
In order to fully get his point across, Damon Hill believes the seven-time champion needs to be even stronger in his criticism and make his mindset clear. "He has to make it clear that he's not going to stick around if things don't change and improve," he said.
And the Sky Sports pundit added: "He's there to win and he wants to win his eighth world title. Mercedes know the deal and they have to produce a better car than the one they started the season with."
But Hill went on to clarify that he feels it is "far-fetched" to suggest Hamilton would actually join a rival team. "He knows this team, Mercedes, and he just wants a reaction. He wants to shake the tree a little bit and he's certainly done that.
"But they know where they are with Lewis and he knows where he is with the team. He knows they have the capability, but the team have had a wake-up call."
