Ferrari chairman John Elkann, earlier this week, issued a sharp reminder to his drivers, urging them to “focus on driving and talk less” after the team’s difficult weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The comments, made during an event in Rome, stirred conversation across the Formula 1 paddock and within the Ferrari camp, setting a firmer tone as the season nears its close.
Ferrari’s performance in São Paulo was one to forget. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton failed to finish, as Leclerc’s car suffered a hydraulic issue on the formation lap, while Hamilton’s race ended early due to damage sustained in the opening stages.
The team’s double retirement left them slipping further behind McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, prompting Elkann to address the matter publicly.
“The mechanics and engineers are doing their job well and the car has improved,” Elkann said, speaking to reporters in Rome. “But if we look at the rest, it is not up to scratch. We definitely have drivers who need to focus on driving and talk less, because we still have important races ahead. When Ferrari is united, we get results.”
His remarks were seen as a response to recent public comments from both drivers. Leclerc had openly voiced frustration about reliability problems, while Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this season, questioned some of the team’s strategic decisions after the race in São Paulo, calling the weekend “a bit disastrous.”
Leclerc took to his social media to describe the effect the weekend race had on him, while sounding optimistic about the future, urging for unity: “A very difficult weekend in São Paulo. 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 2nd 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 3 races.”
Hamilton also gave his reaction via social media, pledging not to give up on the team as the season ends its final races: “I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever.”
