Vasseur backs Hamilton and Leclerc's right to criticize Ferrari

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has publicly endorsed Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton's right to be critical of the team, stating he actively encourages their feedback as a necessary driver for improvement. This stance directly contrasts with Ferrari chairman John Elkann's recent remarks that the star duo should "focus on driving and talk less" following a season of public frustrations.

Why it matters:

The public disagreement between the team principal and the chairman over driver communication highlights a significant internal dynamic at Maranello. Vasseur's management philosophy, which prioritizes internal pressure for progress over public image, is a clear statement of his leadership approach as Ferrari seeks to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season where it failed to win a race and slipped to fourth in the constructors' championship.

The details:

• Vasseur dismissed the importance of post-session TV interviews, focusing instead on the drivers' demeanor in internal debriefs. He emphasized that what matters is "to have a guy coming back to us and pushing the team to do a better job."
• He expressed a preference for critical drivers, stating, "I would be destroyed if I had the drivers telling me that we are doing a good job." He views their constant push for improvement as part of the team's and the sport's core DNA.
• Vasseur specifically referenced Leclerc's long-known tendency to be critical, noting he has been "always complaining about everything" for over a decade, but frames this as a "positive dynamic" aimed at collective betterment.
• The team boss clarified that this expectation applies equally to both drivers, insisting they must "push the team on the limit. Everywhere, on every single area."

The big picture:

This episode underscores the high-pressure environment at Ferrari following a underwhelming season. While Elkann's comments reflected a desire to project unity and focus, Vasseur's rebuttal champions a culture of relentless internal critique. His argument suggests that suppressing driver feedback, however blunt, would be counterproductive to the team's goal of returning to the front under the new 2026 regulations. The differing public statements reveal the balancing act between managing external perceptions and fostering the internal drive required to win in Formula 1.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the driver-team dynamic as Ferrari develops its 2026 car. Vasseur has staked his leadership on harnessing Hamilton and Leclerc's criticisms constructively. The success of this approach will be measured by the team's on-track performance next year, determining whether this public airing of philosophical differences was a minor disagreement or a sign of deeper strategic tensions at the Scuderia.