Ferrari: Criticism of Hamilton and Leclerc, are the drivers to blame?

Ferrari: Internal Criticism After a Bitter-Sweet Weekend

John Elkann, Ferrari’s president’s recent decision to publicly question his drivers has caused a stir in the Formula 1 world. This fact, following the disappointing performance at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, reflects the challenges the Italian team has faced in its quest for a title, which has been 17 years in the making. Elkann criticized Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, after both drivers suffered retirements in the race. This situation contrasted with Ferrari’s victory in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), an achievement that highlighted the disparities within the company’s structure.

Brazil was a big disappointment. If we look at the Formula 1 championship, we can say that, on the one hand, we have our mechanics, who are actually winning the championship with their performance and everything they have done in the pit stops. If we look at our engineers, there is no doubt that the car has improved. If we look at the rest, it is not up to par.

John Elkann

The Ferrari president urged his drivers to focus on driving and to “talk less”, suggesting that there are still possibilities to secure second place in the constructors’ championship. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of unity within Ferrari to achieve success, as demonstrated in the WEC. Following Elkann’s statements, both drivers turned to social media. Leclerc emphasized the need for “unity” at Ferrari to achieve victories, while Hamilton expressed his support for the team and himself. These statements by Elkann have raised questions about the team’s internal dynamics. Could the drivers’ criticisms be seen as a challenge to Elkann’s authority? Is Ferrari’s current situation acceptable for the team? And, in a broader sense, does Elkann understand the differences between building a successful Formula 1 program and a WEC team? Elkann’s statement suggests that the drivers’ complaints about the team’s lack of competitiveness are unfounded. Ferrari’s history has been marked by the search for scapegoats in unsuccessful seasons, and on this occasion, the criticism seems directed towards the drivers. The reference to the mechanics, who have stood out for their efficiency in pit stops, is an acknowledgment of the DHL award. However, this praise, in the midst of a winless season, may seem incongruous. The statement that “the car has improved” has also generated doubts. While Red Bull and Mercedes have achieved victories, Ferrari has not made significant progress. The team has struggled to control technical aspects, such as the car’s ride height, something that Hamilton has experienced. The image of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who occupy fifth and sixth place in the drivers’ championship respectively, illustrates the current situation of Ferrari.

Both drivers have shown their frustration with Ferrari’s performance in 2025. Italian media suggests that Leclerc has expressed his discontent more openly than ever. The situation could generate internal tensions, especially considering that Leclerc would be considering options outside of Ferrari if the team doesn’t improve for 2026. Hamilton’s history in the sport, with multiple victories and titles, gives him a valuable perspective to evaluate and improve the team’s performance. However, Hamilton’s suggestions seem to have met resistance in some sectors of Ferrari. Comparing Ferrari to the Dallas Cowboys, a franchise with great prestige but unable to achieve sustained success, raises questions about Ferrari’s ability to build a winning team in the long term, something that Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren have achieved since 2008.