Hamilton Delivers Defiant Counterpunch to Ferrari Chairman's Rebuke

Hours after Ferrari chairman John Elkann publicly accused his Formula 1 drivers of "talking too much" and "thinking too little about Ferrari," Lewis Hamilton fired off a defiant message of his own — short, sharp, and unmistakably personal.

"I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever. Thank you, Brazil, always," the seven-time world champion wrote on Instagram.

Hamilton's post came just after Elkann's headline-grabbing remarks at a Milan event celebrating Ferrari's endurance racing success. The Italian executive had praised the WEC squad for its unity, then pivoted to Formula 1 with a blunt comparison that left little room for interpretation.

"The rest is not up to par," Elkann said. "We have drivers who need to focus on driving, talk less… We need drivers who think more about Ferrari and less about themselves."

For a team already raw from a disastrous São Paulo weekend – with Charles Leclerc crashing out early, through no fault of his own, and Hamilton retiring after a contact on Lap 1 – the chairman's public rebuke detonated like a thunderclap over Maranello.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's chairman publicly criticizing his F1 drivers, particularly seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, signals significant internal tension at a crucial juncture. This public spat could further destabilize a team already struggling for consistency and direction, potentially impacting morale and performance as Ferrari aims to reclaim its top-tier status.

The Details:

• Elkann's Rebuke: Ferrari chairman John Elkann expressed dissatisfaction with his F1 drivers, stating they "need to focus on driving, talk less… and think more about Ferrari and less about themselves." These comments were made at a celebration for Ferrari's WEC success.
• Hamilton's Response: Lewis Hamilton swiftly responded on Instagram: "I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever. Thank you, Brazil, always." This was interpreted as a direct, defiant counter to Elkann.
• Leclerc's Stance: Charles Leclerc adopted a more diplomatic tone, emphasizing that "unity can help us turn this situation around," contrasting with Hamilton's more fiery reaction.
• Ferrari Insider's Reaction: Veteran Ferrari journalist Leo Turrini sharply criticized Elkann's comments, comparing them unfavorably to past leadership and arguing that the team's struggles lie more with engineering and management than with the drivers themselves.
  • Turrini highlighted that Ferrari's engineers and leaders have not done their job if, after 21 races, the team has zero wins and sits fourth in the standings. He also pointed out that Hamilton has struggled with the car's performance, while Leclerc has been waiting for a decent car for years.

Between the Lines:

Elkann's comments, while potentially intended to motivate, have instead ignited a public war of words with his star driver. This incident highlights a deep-seated dysfunction within Ferrari, where top talents often become frustrated by a culture that struggles to balance accountability with support. Hamilton's defiance suggests he views self-belief as an essential 'armor,' rather than arrogance, especially after labeling his debut Ferrari season a 'nightmare.'

What's next:

Ferrari's leadership insists this is a "course correction," not a crisis. However, the optics of a chairman criticizing his drivers, followed by a direct public response from Hamilton, are far from ideal. How this internal friction plays out will be critical for Ferrari's performance and team unity in the upcoming races. If past patterns hold, public rebukes rarely lead to a thriving environment within Maranello, suggesting this moment could either galvanize or further fragment the Scuderia.