Hamilton, Leclerc Respond to Ferrari Boss's Call for Focus
Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have publicly affirmed their commitment and the importance of team unity, responding to chairman John Elkann's call for them to 'focus on driving and talk less.' Following a double DNF in Sao Paulo and a slip to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, both drivers posted rallying cries to motivate the team ahead of the crucial final three races, emphasizing their determination to fight back and achieve a strong finish.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have issued rallying cries, emphasizing commitment and unity at Ferrari, following remarks from chairman John Elkann. Elkann had urged drivers to 'focus on driving and talk less' to help the team recover in the Constructors' Championship.
Why it matters:
Ferrari's chairman openly calling on his drivers to reduce external communication and focus on performance underscores the high-pressure situation within the Scuderia. After slipping from second to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, a strong finish is crucial for team morale, financial incentives, and its long-term competitive aspirations. Public statements from Hamilton and Leclerc are a direct response to this call, reflecting the internal push for unity and improved results.
The Details:
- Elkann's Remarks: Ferrari chairman John Elkann, in an interview, praised mechanics and engineers while advising drivers to 'talk less and focus on driving' to secure a strong season finish.
- Emphasis on Unity: Elkann highlighted Ferrari's World Endurance Championship success, stating it showed 'when Ferrari is united, you get results,' subtly linking this to the F1 team's current challenges.
- Leclerc's Post: Charles Leclerc was first to respond on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging a 'very difficult weekend in Sao Paulo' and emphasizing that 'only unity can help us turn that situation around in the last three races.'
- Hamilton's Post: Lewis Hamilton posted on Instagram, stating, 'I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever,' following his 'nightmare' comments after retiring from the Sao Paulo race.
- Sao Paulo Incidents: Ferrari suffered a double DNF in Sao Paulo. Leclerc retired after contact between Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli led to Antonelli's Mercedes hitting his Ferrari. Hamilton retired due to damage from tagging Franco Colapinto's Alpine on the first lap.
- Championship Impact: The no-score weekend resulted in Ferrari dropping 36 points behind Mercedes and four points behind Red Bull in the fight for second place in the lucrative Constructors' Championship with three races remaining.
The Big Picture:
Ferrari's recent performance dip, coupled with the chairman's public comments, indicates significant internal pressure. The team has finished outside the top three in the standings only three times in the last 31 campaigns (2020, 2014, 2009) and faces the acute danger of its first winless year since 2021. The collective response from the drivers aims to project a united front, essential for navigating the final, critical races of the season and securing a better standing.
What's Next:
With three races remaining in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, Ferrari's ability to regroup and demonstrate unity will be under intense scrutiny. The team's performance in these final events will not only determine their Constructors' Championship position but also set the tone for their future development and aspirations, particularly as they seek to avoid a winless season and climb back up the standings.