Ferrari Chairman John Elkann Blasted by Ex-Staff Over F1 Comments
Ferrari chairman John Elkann faces sharp criticism from former team members. Ex-engineer Luigi Mazzola called his F1 expertise 'none,' while ex-driver Arturo Merzario questioned Charles Leclerc's status at the team.
Former Ferrari race engineer Luigi Mazzola launched a scathing attack on chairman John Elkann, stating he has "about as much Formula 1 expertise as I have in economics — basically none." The comments came after Elkann publicly told his drivers to "talk less and focus on driving more" following a double DNF at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Mazzola argued the remarks were a political misstep that should have been handled internally, especially when the team had just celebrated a major WEC victory.
Why it matters:
Public criticism from a team's leadership, especially from someone perceived as an outsider, can severely damage morale and create a toxic environment. The comments from a respected former figure like Mazzola amplify existing concerns about Ferrari's strategic direction and stability under Elkann's leadership, highlighting a disconnect between the F1 team's struggles and the success of Ferrari's other motorsport programs.
The details:
- No Expertise: Mazzola was blunt in his assessment of Elkann's F1 knowledge, suggesting the chairman's words may not even be his own and that he lacks the influence of former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.
- Missed Opportunity: Mazzola believes Elkann should have used the platform to celebrate Ferrari's dominant WEC championship win, securing both the drivers' and constructors' titles, instead of creating controversy around the F1 team.
- "Dirty Laundry": The former engineer stressed that internal issues should be resolved privately, implying that Elkann's public comments were a calculated political move to target individuals within the team.
- Leclerc Under Fire: In a separate critique, ex-Ferrari driver Arturo Merzario claimed Charles Leclerc "didn't deserve" his initial seat at the team and is "not special," merely "a very good driver, like many others."
Between the lines:
The public airing of grievances suggests a deep-seated frustration within the Ferrari family, both past and present. Mazzola's comment that Elkann might be "fed specific lines" points to potential power struggles behind the scenes at Maranello. For the drivers and team, this external noise adds another layer of pressure as they try to regroup from a disappointing race weekend and focus on closing the gap to the front-runners.