Ferrari Chairman Blasts Drivers After Brazil Disaster

Ferrari chairman John Elkann has publicly criticized his Formula 1 drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, following the team's disastrous double retirement at the Brazilian Grand Prix. This costly blow dropped Ferrari to fourth in the constructors' championship, highlighting the stark contrast with the Scuderia's World Endurance Championship success.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's chairman rarely intervenes publicly, making Elkann's direct criticism of his F1 drivers a significant development. This reflects mounting pressure within the team as they struggle for consistent performance despite improvements in other areas, and it signals a demand for greater focus and fewer distractions from their star drivers.

The Details:

• Double Retirement in Brazil: Ferrari suffered its third double retirement of the 2025 season, a costly outcome that saw them fall 36 points behind Mercedes in the constructors' standings.
  • Charles Leclerc's race ended on Lap 6 due to a chain reaction incident involving Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri at Turn 1.
  • Lewis Hamilton's afternoon was compromised by early contact with Carlos Sainz and later a collision with Franco Colapinto, which caused significant floor damage to his car, leading to its retirement.
• Elkann's Strong Words: John Elkann drew a direct comparison to Ferrari's WEC title win, stating, "Brazil was a huge disappointment." He acknowledged the mechanics' and engineers' strong performance but added, "If we look at the rest, it's not up to par." He specifically called out the drivers, saying, "we certainly have drivers who it's important that they focus on driving and talk less."
• Team Principal's Reaction: Team principal Fred Vasseur admitted it was a "tough weekend" and hard to take positives from. He emphasized the severe penalty of losing points in the constructors' fight, particularly with Leclerc's retirement not being his fault. Vasseur also highlighted the "huge amount of downforce" lost on Hamilton's car due to floor damage.

The Big Picture:

Ferrari's recent form has been mixed. While Leclerc has shown qualifying pace, the team remains without a victory in 2025. Hamilton, in his first season with Ferrari, has faced challenges adapting to the car and environment. The public rebuke from the chairman underscores the high stakes and the team's determination to reclaim second place in the constructors' championship.

What's next:

With three important races remaining, Ferrari will be looking to regroup and deliver strong performances to salvage their constructors' championship standing. Elkann's comments put the onus squarely on the drivers to perform and minimize external distractions as the team pushes to end the season on a stronger note.