Ferrari’s internal tension erupted following a disastrous Brazilian Grand Prix, as CEO John Elkann unleashed a scathing rebuke against both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The double DNF marked Ferrari’s third pointless weekend of the season — a troubling pattern echoing their earlier collapses in China and Zandvoort. Leclerc’s early exit, after being tagged during a fierce battle for second, and Hamilton’s retirement following first-lap chaos and a time penalty, underscored the team’s disarray.
While Ferrari’s endurance racing division salvaged some pride by clinching the WEC championship in Bahrain, Elkann’s comments shifted the spotlight squarely back on Formula 1. He praised the endurance squad’s unity, declaring, “Ferrari wins when it is cohesive,” suggesting that harmony — not talent alone — drives success. The implication was clear: Ferrari’s F1 operation lacked the same discipline and unity that brought glory elsewhere.
Then came the sting. Elkann’s statement took a pointed turn, blasting his star drivers for failing to meet expectations. “Brazil was a huge disappointment,” he said. “The mechanics perform at the highest level; the engineers strive to perfect the car. The rest is not up to par. Our drivers must focus on driving, speak less, and deliver results — second place is still possible.” His words landed like a thunderclap, sparking widespread backlash and speculation about unrest within Maranello.
The timing of the remarks could not have been worse, as both Hamilton and Leclerc’s futures at Ferrari are already in question. Leclerc’s management reportedly warned the Scuderia that only a title-contending car could secure his long-term commitment, while Hamilton — whose performances have faltered — may already be nearing the end of his Ferrari chapter. Elkann’s reference to “second place” was seen by many as a thinly veiled reprimand of the Briton’s recent comments about simply “having fun” rather than focusing on results.
Ferrari’s leadership, it seems, is running out of patience. What should have been a weekend of introspection became a public reckoning, with Elkann’s words serving as both a warning and a reminder of Ferrari’s unrelenting standards. For Hamilton and Leclerc, the message was unmistakable — at Ferrari, excuses hold no currency, and failure is never tolerated for long.
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