Elkann's Bizarre 'Talk Less' Message to Ferrari Drivers Hamilton and Leclerc

Ferrari president John Elkann has surprisingly criticized his Formula 1 team, including drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, suggesting they need to “talk less” after a disappointing double retirement at the Brazilian Grand Prix. His comments implied a lack of unity within the F1 operation, contrasting it with the successful World Endurance Championship team.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's F1 team has consistently fallen short of championship contention in recent years, a stark contrast to their success in other motorsport divisions. Elkann's public criticism, particularly aimed at star drivers like Hamilton and Leclerc, signals underlying tension and potential internal issues that could impact team morale and future performance, especially as the crucial 2026 regulation changes approach.

The details:

• Brazilian GP Disaster: The criticism follows a dismal Brazilian Grand Prix where Charles Leclerc retired early due to a first-lap collision involving Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli, and Lewis Hamilton retired after damaging his car in a clumsy incident with Franco Colapinto.
• Championship Slump: Ferrari scored only six points in Brazil, dropping from second to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, now 36 points behind Mercedes and six behind Red Bull.
• Elkann's Critique: Speaking at a Milano Cortina 2026 event, Elkann called Brazil a “big disappointment” and stated that while mechanics' pitstop performance and engineers' car improvements were commendable, “the rest is not up to par.”
• Driver Focus: He explicitly said, “we have drivers for whom it is important that they focus on driving and talk less, because we still have important races ahead of us and getting second place is not impossible.”
• Contrasting WEC Success: Elkann highlighted Ferrari's WEC triumph, including a Le Mans 24 Hours win, as an example of “when Ferrari is united, when everyone is together, great things can be achieved,” implicitly contrasting it with the F1 team.
• Questionable Car Development: Despite Elkann's praise for engineers, the car's performance has fluctuated, with no significant transformation from in-season upgrades. It remains unable to consistently challenge for wins, raising doubts about its true development.

Between the lines:

Elkann's message, while vague, seems to be a warning to the drivers to focus on their roles and possibly to refrain from public criticism or expressing frustration. For Leclerc, this might address his honesty about the team's machinery and concerns about the 2026 car. For Hamilton, it could relate to his on-track performance, which he has publicly deemed a “nightmare” in his first Ferrari year. By linking the F1 team's struggles to a lack of unity, Elkann is directly challenging Team Principal Fred Vasseur's long-championed ethos of cohesion. This public declaration from the very top signals a deep-seated concern and a potential shift in internal dynamics as Ferrari gears up for the new regulations, aiming to avoid past failures in their F1 endeavors.

What's next:

With 2026 offering a significant opportunity for Ferrari under new car and engine rules, Elkann's comments could be setting the stage for increased accountability. He appears to be laying the groundwork to react strongly if the F1 team underperforms again, collectively or individually. However, critics suggest Elkann should also reflect on his own role in green-lighting various changes that have yet to yield F1 success. For Ferrari to truly unite and achieve greatness, leadership from the top must foster cohesion rather than implicitly questioning it, a lesson from the team's own challenging history.