Ferrari’s chairman, John Elkann, has issued a stern directive to drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, urging them to prioritize their performance on the track over public commentary. This comes after a challenging weekend for the Italian Formula 1 team in Brazil, where they faced a double retirement, marking their third race of the season without scoring any points.
In stark contrast, Ferrari achieved a significant victory in Bahrain over the same weekend, clinching the World Endurance Championships for both drivers and teams. Elkann, speaking at an Olympic sponsorship event in Rome, drew a comparison between the emotional triumph of the Le Mans 24 Hours winners and the disappointment experienced in Brazil. He questioned the unity within the F1 team, despite acknowledging the improvements made by the mechanics and engineers.
“If we look at the rest, it is not up to scratch,” Elkann stated. “And we definitely have drivers who need to focus on driving and talk less because we still have important races ahead of us and getting second place [in the championship] is not impossible.”
Ferrari’s Season of Contrasts
Ferrari, which finished as a close runner-up to McLaren last season, has seen its position slip to fourth in the constructors’ standings, trailing behind McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull. The team’s drivers have expressed their frustration, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari from Mercedes in January, describing his experience as a “nightmare” after the race at Interlagos.
“This is a nightmare, and I have been living it for a while,” Hamilton told Sky Sports. “The flip between the dream of driving for this amazing team and the nightmare of the results we have had, the ups and downs, it’s challenging.”
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. In an interview with Viaplay, he noted the need to “fight through those hardships” and expressed his belief in the team’s potential.
“I truly still believe in this team and what we can achieve together. I just have to keep pushing and keep giving them everything I can,” Hamilton added.
Challenges on the Track
The British driver has yet to secure a podium finish in 21 races, although he did win a sprint in China earlier this year. His recent race in Brazil ended prematurely after two opening-lap collisions left his car severely damaged. Hamilton was also handed a five-second penalty for one of the incidents, which he served before retiring from the race.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc faced his own challenges, being pushed out in a three-way battle for second place with Italian Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who received a penalty for the incident. Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari for seven years, finished fifth in the Saturday sprint race, while Hamilton placed seventh.
Looking Ahead
The announcement from Elkann underscores the pressure on Ferrari to improve its performance as the season progresses. The team is striving to regain its standing in the constructors’ championship, with Elkann emphasizing the importance of unity and focus.
As the season continues, the spotlight will remain on Ferrari’s ability to translate its potential into consistent results on the track. The team’s performance in upcoming races will be crucial in determining whether they can achieve the second-place finish Elkann believes is still within reach.
With several races remaining, Ferrari’s drivers and team members face the challenge of overcoming recent setbacks and demonstrating the resilience and skill that have historically defined the iconic racing team.
