Ferrari Boss Responds to Hamilton's Frustrations and Elkann's 'Talk Less' Remark

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has stated he has no issue with his drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, openly expressing their frustrations. However, he emphasizes that what truly matters is their collaborative effort with the team on Monday mornings to improve performance.

Why it matters:

Ferrari president John Elkann recently criticized some within the Scuderia for 'not being up to par' and urged drivers to 'focus on driving and talk less.' This has put Vasseur in a position to manage both driver morale and external pressure, especially as Hamilton has repeatedly lamented 2025 as his 'worst season ever.' Vasseur's approach highlights a focus on internal problem-solving over public commentary, aiming to channel frustration into productive change amidst a challenging season for the iconic team.

The Details:

• Driver Frustrations: Charles Leclerc expressed significant anger after qualifying ninth in Las Vegas, citing "zero grip" and calling the performance "f***ing embarrassing." Lewis Hamilton, despite recovering from 19th to eighth, called it a "terrible result" and stated he's "not looking forward to the next season."
• Elkann's Comments: Ferrari president John Elkann suggested that Hamilton and Leclerc should "focus on driving and talk less," implying a lack of unity behind the scenes was hindering the team.
• Vasseur's Stance on Driver Expression: Vasseur views driver frustration as a natural human reaction, especially in the immediate aftermath of a difficult race. He prefers drivers to be open rather than feigning satisfaction when performance is lacking.
• Focus on Action: Vasseur emphasized that the critical aspect isn't what drivers say to the media immediately after a race, but rather "what they do on the Monday morning with the team to try to do better and to try to push the team to do better."
• Performance vs. Results: While acknowledging the recent mathematical setbacks (DNF in Brazil, penalty in Mexico, poor starting position in Las Vegas), Vasseur believes the SF-25 has shown periods of strong pure performance, particularly in Mexico and Austin for Hamilton.
• Elkann's Message Interpretation: Vasseur interpreted Elkann's comments not as criticism but as a positive, supportive message intended to push the team to improve and work better together.

What's next:

Vasseur's approach indicates a focus on harnessing driver emotions constructively, aiming for a more unified and effective effort behind the scenes. The challenge for Ferrari will be to translate this philosophy into tangible on-track improvements, especially as the season progresses and pressure mounts to deliver better results. If Vasseur can successfully channel the team's internal drive and minimize external distractions, Ferrari might be able to find a path out of its current slump.