Ferrari President Slammed for Public Criticism of Hamilton and Leclerc

Ferrari president John Elkann is facing harsh criticism for publicly scolding Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, urging them to "talk less" after another disappointing F1 season. This move has been labeled as "bad leadership" by former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, reigniting discussions about Ferrari's internal dynamics and championship aspirations.

Why it matters:

Ferrari, once touted as a title contender, now finds itself struggling in fourth place in the Constructors' Championship with only a few races remaining. Elkann's public rebuke of his star drivers, particularly after a double DNF in Brazil, highlights mounting frustration within the Scuderia. Such public condemnation could further destabilize team morale and impact driver performance, especially for a team aiming to challenge for top honors.

The Details:

• Following a dismal Brazilian Grand Prix where both Hamilton and Leclerc failed to finish, Elkann stated: "Brazil was a huge disappointment. In Formula 1, we have mechanics who are always first in performing pit stops. The engineers work to improve the car. The rest is not up to par. We have drivers who need to focus on driving, talk less, and we have important races ahead of us, and it is not impossible to finish second."
• Guenther Steiner's Critique: Steiner, a seasoned F1 team principal, strongly condemned Elkann's comments on the Red Flags podcast, calling it poor leadership.
  • "He is allowed to critique because in the end he's the boss, but I think he shouldn't do that in public," Steiner remarked.
  • Steiner emphasized that Leclerc, in particular, dedicates his "heart and soul" to the team, questioning what more could be expected of him.
  • He found it "weird, to say the least," for a leader at the highest level of the company to publicly criticize drivers while seemingly exempting mechanics and engineers.
• Accountability for Driver Selection: Steiner also pointed out that Elkann, by agreeing to the driver lineup (including Hamilton), shares responsibility for their performance. "Sometimes you have to look in the mirror," he suggested.
• Potential for Emotional Reaction: While critical, Steiner acknowledged that Elkann might have been "a little bit emotional" and "pissed off" after the disappointing Brazil race, especially after the team's WEC championship win in contrast to the F1 performance.

The big picture:

Ferrari's consistent struggle to deliver on championship promises has often led to internal pressures and public scrutiny. This latest incident with Elkann's comments, particularly involving a high-profile driver like Lewis Hamilton who is a new addition to the team, risks creating significant tension within Maranello. Effective leadership in F1 demands protecting and motivating personnel, especially drivers who are the public face of the team. Public criticism, while showing frustration, can be counterproductive to building a cohesive and winning environment.

What's next:

The fallout from Elkann's comments could linger as Ferrari enters the final races of the season. The team's performance, coupled with the internal dynamics, will be closely watched. How team principal Fred Vasseur manages these tensions and how Hamilton and Leclerc respond to the public admonishment will be critical for Ferrari's immediate future and their preparations for upcoming seasons.