Button Questions Ferrari Chairman's Public Criticism of Hamilton and Leclerc

Jenson Button, Sky Sports F1 pundit, believes Ferrari chairman John Elkann should have directly addressed Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton instead of publicly criticizing them. This follows Elkann's remarks after a double retirement at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where he suggested Leclerc and Hamilton need to "talk less and focus on driving."

Why it matters:

Ferrari, a team with immense pressure from its fanbase and history, finished just 14 points behind McLaren in last year's Constructors' Championship. This season, however, has seen a significant downturn, with no Grand Prix wins and Hamilton yet to secure a podium in his debut year with the Scuderia. Elkann's public comments risk further demoralizing drivers already under intense scrutiny and could disrupt team cohesion at a critical juncture.

The Details:

• Elkann's Comments: Following a disappointing double retirement in Sao Paulo, Ferrari chairman John Elkann publicly stated that Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton need to "talk less and focus on driving."
• Button's View: Jenson Button argued that direct communication would be more effective. He emphasized that with only two drivers, Elkann could easily have a private conversation to convey expectations and address concerns.
• Ferrari's Pressure Cooker: Button highlighted the immense external and internal pressure on Ferrari, where the entire nation of Italy expects the team to win. He noted that this environment makes direct, supportive communication even more crucial.
• Hamilton's Challenging Season: Despite a Sprint pole victory in China, Hamilton has struggled, trailing Leclerc 16-5 in qualifying head-to-heads. He was knocked out early in Sprint Qualifying and Qualifying in Brazil, putting his record of never finishing a season without a podium at risk.
• Performance Concerns: Button acknowledged that Hamilton took longer to adapt to the unique characteristics of the new car earlier in the season. However, he noted that in recent races, Hamilton's performance has been comparable to Leclerc's in both qualifying and races, suggesting small errors rather than a fundamental lack of pace.

What's next:

Both Hamilton and Leclerc are expected to be questioned about Elkann's comments during the media day for the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix. Resolving these internal tensions and finding a way to consistently extract performance will be key for Ferrari as they push to end the season strongly.

• Button believes a podium finish for both Ferrari and Hamilton is vital for the sport and would provide a significant boost for the team.
• The team's ability to fine-tune their approach and minimize small mistakes in qualifying and race execution will be crucial for any potential late-season victories.