Quick Read
- John Elkann publicly criticized Ferrari’s drivers for talking too much and urged them to focus on racing.
- Ferrari suffered a double retirement at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, dropping to fourth in the constructors’ standings.
- Elkann praised mechanics and engineers but said drivers must improve, with three races and a sprint left in the season.
- Ferrari recently won the World Endurance Championship, highlighting the contrast with its F1 struggles.
Elkann’s Public Rebuke: Ferrari’s Frustrations Surface
In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, Ferrari’s legacy is built on passion, precision, and pressure. But as the 2025 season barrels towards its finale, that pressure has boiled over into public criticism from the very top. John Elkann, the chairman of Ferrari, didn’t mince words after a bruising double retirement at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix—a result that sent the iconic team spiraling to fourth in the constructors’ championship, 36 points behind Mercedes and trailing Red Bull by four.
Elkann’s message to his star drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, was clear and direct: “Focus on driving and talk less.” Speaking at a high-profile Olympic sponsorship event in Rome, he praised the progress of Ferrari’s mechanics and engineers, noting that pit stops have become a point of pride and the car itself has shown marked improvement. Yet, he did not shy away from highlighting what he sees as a shortfall elsewhere. “If we look at the rest, it’s not up to standard,” Elkann said. “We definitely have drivers who need to focus more and talk less because we still have important races ahead of us and getting second place is not impossible.” BBC Sport and GrandPrix247 both captured the tension and the hope embedded in his remarks.
A Nightmare Debut for Hamilton, Mounting Pressure for Leclerc
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari was supposed to mark a new chapter for both driver and team—a chance for the seven-time world champion to bring his winning touch to Maranello. Instead, he’s described his first season as a “nightmare,” having yet to stand on a Grand Prix podium and suffering the longest drought of his storied career. His sole victory came early in the season, in the Chinese Sprint, but since then, misfortune and mechanical woes have kept him out of contention.
Leclerc, meanwhile, has managed seven podium finishes, with his best results being second place in Monaco and Mexico. However, the Sao Paulo weekend was emblematic of Ferrari’s struggles: Leclerc qualified third but was eliminated in a collision, while Hamilton’s race ended after contact and front wing damage. The team salvaged only six points from the sprint race, a paltry haul in a season where every point matters.
On social media, Leclerc didn’t hide his disappointment: “Disappointing to come back home with nearly no points at all for the team in what is a critical moment of the season to fight for the second place in the constructors’ championship. It’s uphill from now and it’s clear that only unity can help us turn that situation around in the last three races. We’ll give it all, as always.”
From Endurance Triumphs to F1 Struggles: The Ferrari Contrast
Elkann’s criticism wasn’t purely negative. He pointed to Ferrari’s triumphs outside Formula 1 as evidence of what the team can achieve when united. Earlier this year, Ferrari clinched the World Endurance Championship (WEC) title in Bahrain—their first in 52 years—and celebrated victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “When Ferrari is united, we get results,” Elkann emphasized, making the contrast with the F1 team’s current woes all the more stark.
The constructors’ championship isn’t just about pride—it’s about financial muscle. Each position near the top can mean a difference of $10 million in prize money. With three Grands Prix and a sprint remaining, Ferrari’s fate hangs in the balance. Last year, they narrowly missed the title, losing out to McLaren by 14 points. This year, McLaren has already sealed the championship with six races to spare, underscoring the scale of Ferrari’s challenge.
Leadership and Unity: The Road Ahead
Elkann has reaffirmed his confidence in team principal Fred Vasseur, who signed a contract extension in July. Vasseur, for his part, admitted that Ferrari has “missed good opportunities” throughout the season, as rivals McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull surged ahead. The message from the top is unequivocal: unity and collective focus are essential if Ferrari is to salvage a difficult campaign.
At a Stellantis event, Elkann drove the point home, urging his drivers not to think “of themselves, but of Ferrari.” The call for teamwork over individual ambition is not just rhetoric—it’s a strategic necessity for a team seeking to recapture its former glory. “When the team acts as one, we win,” Elkann said, echoing a sentiment that resonates far beyond the pit lane.
As the season draws to a close, Ferrari’s drivers face not only external competition but also the internal challenge of living up to the expectations of a storied brand. The pressure is immense, but so is the opportunity. For Hamilton and Leclerc, the next three races will be a test of resilience, focus, and unity—qualities that, according to Elkann, are the key to turning the tide.
Elkann’s intervention is a stark reminder that, in Formula 1, reputations are forged not just on the track but in the crucible of public scrutiny. His call for focus and unity sets a high bar for Ferrari’s drivers, making the final stretch of the season a defining moment for both individuals and the team as a whole.