At the Salone d’Onore del Coni in Rome, where Italian sporting achievements are celebrated, Ferrari president John Elkann addressed the team’s struggles in Formula 1 while contrasting it with the marque’s success in endurance racing.
Elkann spoke frankly after witnessing the celebrations in Bahrain and the team’s disappointing double result in Brazil. His call for unity and focus — «Only when we all fight in the same direction can we win, as endurance racing has shown» — shifted into pointed criticism of drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
«We need drivers who think more about Ferrari and less about themselves, speak less and concentrate on driving,» Elkann said.
The message comes amid Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari, which the driver described as «a nightmare I’ve been living for some time.»
Leclerc, meanwhile, has publicly supported the team’s line, stating, «Only by staying united can we turn the situation around.» Hamilton, however, appears to be the primary focus of Elkann’s criticism, reflecting frustration with his public comments and perceived distractions.
The president highlighted missed opportunities and mistakes that have left Ferrari fourth in the constructors’ standings.
«The goal must be to reclaim second place, it is not impossible,» he said.
Elkann stressed that complaints and criticisms, including Hamilton’s comments about FIA penalties in Brazil, should be replaced by better performance on track. Hamilton responded on social media:
«I support my team and myself. I will not give up now or ever.»
Internal Focus and Broader Context
Elkann also praised the mechanics for pit stops and engineers working to improve the 2025 car, defending team principal Frederic Vasseur’s leadership. He shifted focus to Juventus, expressing confidence in coach Luciano Spalletti and emphasising the enduring relationship between his family and the club. While concentrating on driver behaviour, Elkann’s comments largely avoided discussion of the car’s design limitations or the challenges faced by past champions at Maranello, such as Alonso and Vettel.
The president’s remarks underline a clear message: unity and discipline on the track are essential for Ferrari to return to the top.
