Elkann criticizes Leclerc and Hamilton: "They should focus on driving and talk less."

After Ferrari's double retirement at the Brazilian GP, ​​it was predictable that things would get ugly at MaranelloAlthough this result is not representative of the Scuderia's potential this weekend, it deals a major blow to the Italians, for whom second place in the Constructors' Championship is now a priority. Resigned, Lewis Hamilton adopted a somewhat rueful attitude after the race, while Charles Leclerc He naturally regretted having suffered an abandonment for which he was not responsible.

Faced with this zero-point performance by Frédéric Vasseur's men at Interlagos, John Elkann was quick to react. He was quick to congratulate Alessandro Pier Guidi, Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado, and the entire Ferrari team. WECThe president of the Prancing Horse brand did not mince words with the team of F1.

“Ferrari wins when it is united, that’s what the result in the WEC taught us.” John Elkann commented from Milan during an event ahead of the 2026 Olympics. When everyone is united, great things can be achieved. Brazil was a huge disappointment. In Formula 1, on the one hand, there are the mechanics who did their job, both in terms of performance and pit stops. The engineers did the same, with the car clearly improving. The rest wasn't up to par. They (the drivers) should focus on driving and talk less. There are still a few races left, and second place is entirely possible.

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Is Ferrari fighting the wrong battle?

By highlighting a successful execution and performances far from living up to potential, is John Elkann making a coherent observation? In fact, Ferrari seems to have greatly improved in terms of the setup and management of its races, particularly regarding the efficiency of pit stops.

However, the question is even more pressing when it comes to engineering. While the strategy isn't yet optimal at every race, the initial design of the SF-25 – this season's Ferrari – as well as the various development choices made, don't seem entirely free of criticism. The direction taken by the engineering team, particularly before Loïc Serra's arrival, was implemented while no chief engineer had been appointed for several months leading up to October 2024. Having fallen significantly behind schedule in the 2025 process, the new team in place appears to be bearing the brunt of the problems, the responsibility for which may be far less significant than it seems.

Since the start of the season at least, Ferrari has accepted the fact that the few elements planned for introduction starting with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix would ultimately be cancelled. Conversely, all energy is now dedicated to the development of the car from 2026, with the firm intention of getting ahead of the next technical regulations.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton at the heart of the criticism?

Furthermore, although Lewis Hamilton did not manage to reach the podium during his first season in red, the Briton remained actively involved in development, notably through collaborative work with Loïc Serra. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc consistently delivered strong performances – if not podium finishes – occasionally suffering from bad luck, as exemplified by the events in São Paulo.

Demanding as ever, the Monegasque driver often points to the glass ceiling he faces. In this context, is John Elkann's reaction a way of preempting criticism before it can even begin? Just a few weeks after Frédéric Vasseur's contract extension at the helm of Scuderia Ferrari, punctuated by a long-term vision focused on stability and confidence in the entire project, such communication is certainly significant. One thing seems clear: this stance will do little to ease tensions in Maranello, with only three Grands Prix remaining in what has been a decidedly long and arduous season for Ferrari.