After a disastrous weekend in Brazil, Ferrari found itself at the centre of growing tension. The team’s double retirement at Interlagos not only ended any hopes of a strong result but also dropped Ferrari to fourth in the constructors’ standings. In the aftermath, Ferrari chairman John Elkann openly criticised his star drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

Speaking to Sky Sports Italy, Elkann reflected on Ferrari’s recent highs and lows. He praised the brand’s success in endurance racing, where the Italian manufacturer won both the constructors’ and drivers’ titles in Bahrain, calling it proof that unity within the team leads to great results. However, he described the Formula 1 campaign as disappointing, particularly the events in Brazil.

“We have mechanics who are basically winning the championship with their performance and everything that has been done on the pitstops. Our engineers have undoubtedly improved the car. But when it comes to the rest, it is still not up to par,” Elkann said. He then added pointedly: “We have drivers who need to focus on driving and talk less.”

The Brazil Grand Prix itself was one to forget for the Maranello-based outfit. Leclerc started from third on the grid and looked in good form until he was taken out in a collision involving Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli. Hamilton, who began from 13th, also saw his race unravel quickly after contact with Carlos Sainz and Franco Colapinto damaged his Ferrari beyond repair. Both drivers were forced to retire, and the team walked away with zero points. The result allowed Mercedes and Red Bull to extend their advantage in the constructors’ championship, leaving Ferrari with an uphill battle to recover second place in the final rounds.

Not long after Elkann’s remarks were made public, both drivers appeared to issue subtle responses through social media. Hamilton shared a determined message that read: “I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever. Thank you, Brazil, always.” Leclerc posted his own reflection on the weekend, writing: “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 second place in the constructors’ championship. It’s uphill from now, and it’s clear that only unity can help us turn this situation around in the last three races. We’ll give it all, as always.”

Leclerc posted his own reflection on the weekend, writing: “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 second place in the constructors’ championship. It’s uphill from now, and it’s clear that only unity can help us turn this situation around in the last three races. We’ll give it all, as always.”

According to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Elkann’s words were aimed particularly at Hamilton, suggesting a cooling of relations between the British driver and Ferrari’s leadership. The paper reported that the chairman was “disappointed” by certain performances and “lost chances.” However, Ferrari later told ESPN that Elkann’s comments were meant to be “constructive” rather than critical, emphasising that the chairman’s intention was to motivate the whole team to perform better in the final rounds.