Elkann Rebukes Hamilton, Leclerc; Wolff Praises Verstappen

Ferrari president John Elkann has publicly admonished Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc following a disastrous double retirement at Interlagos, which saw the Scuderia lose ground to Mercedes in the Constructors' standings. Meanwhile, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff lauded Max Verstappen's performance in Brazil, highlighting his unparalleled ability to recover from difficult positions.

Why it matters:

Elkann's rare public criticism of his star drivers underscores the immense pressure within Ferrari to perform and the internal friction that could arise from such remarks. For Mercedes, Wolff's praise for Verstappen, even amidst their own battle for second, highlights the Dutchman's dominance and sets a benchmark for all drivers.

The details:

• Elkann's Stern Message: Speaking at a Stellantis event, Elkann expressed "huge disappointment" with Ferrari's Brazilian Grand Prix result, stating, "our drivers need to focus on driving and talk less." He emphasized the need for unity, asserting that success comes from the team acting as one, not individual focus.
  • Elkann acknowledged improvements in pit stops and car development but insisted that "many areas still need to get better," specifically pointing to driver focus.
• Wolff's Admiration for Verstappen: Toto Wolff praised Max Verstappen's charge from the pit lane to the podium in Brazil, calling it a testament to why he's a four-time world champion. Wolff likened Red Bull's strategic power unit change to past Mercedes upgrades for Hamilton.
  • He remarked, "Never discount Max. Even if he starts from last, he finds a way through," noting Verstappen's consistency and ranking his Brazil drive among his finest performances.
• Championship Hopes: Wolff expressed his desire for the title fight between Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Verstappen to go down to the wire, praising McLaren's management of their drivers. He concluded that, "From a spectator standpoint, you want to see it go to the final race, ideally, with equal points."

The big picture:

Ferrari's chairman stepping in with such direct criticism reveals deep-seated frustrations and a clear demand for immediate results. This pressure could either galvanize the team or exacerbate internal tensions. Conversely, Wolff's acknowledgment of a rival's brilliance speaks to the high level of competition in F1, even as Mercedes fights its own battles.

What's next:

Elkann's comments are likely to spark significant discussion and place both Hamilton and Leclerc under intense scrutiny in upcoming races. The focus will be on how Ferrari responds as a unified entity. Meanwhile, Verstappen continues to set a formidable standard, challenging other teams and drivers to elevate their game if they hope to contest for championships.