Key Highlights
- Ferrari chairman John Elkann tells Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to “talk less and focus on driving” after a disappointing performance in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
- Hamilton and Leclerc both failed to finish the race, with Leclerc suffering a front wheel failure during the restart collision.
- Ferrari dropped to fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, 394 points behind Red Bull and Mercedes.
- Elkann criticizes drivers for not pushing at full pace due to car issues, while acknowledging improvements in pit stops and engineering.
F1’s Disappointing Performance in Sao Paulo
The Ferrari team suffered a significant setback during the recent Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc failing to finish the race. This poor performance has left Ferrari’s Chairman John Elkann frustrated, as he urged the drivers to focus more on driving rather than talking.
Drivers’ Performance and Team Challenges
Hamilton, who joined Ferrari at the start of this season, has struggled to adapt to the car. He cut a dejected figure after qualifying in P13 for the Sao Paulo GP, having faced various issues such as an early pit stop and penalties that prevented him from finishing the race.
Leclerc’s situation was even more challenging, with his front left tyre falling off during a collision with Kimi Antonelli. This incident forced Leclerc to pull over at the end of the next straight, resulting in a non-finish for both drivers. Hamilton and Leclerc have been forced to not push at full pace due to car issues, which has affected their performance.
Elkann’s Criticism and Team Analysis
Ferrari’s Chairman John Elkann addressed the team’s performance during an Italian Olympic Committee event ahead of next year’s Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. He highlighted that while mechanics are performing well, drivers need to focus more on their driving.
Elkann stated: “If we look at our engineers, the car has undoubtedly improved. If we look at the rest, it’s not up to standard. We have drivers who need to focus more and talk less because we still have important races to come.” He added that finishing second in the constructors’ championship is not impossible despite Ferrari’s current position.
Industry Context and Future Prospects
The F1 season continues with the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 21-23, where Ferrari hopes to regain form. The team faces stiff competition from Red Bull and Mercedes, but Elkann remains optimistic about their prospects in the remaining races.
Industry experts believe that Ferrari’s performance issues could be related to chassis and tire wear, which have affected their competitiveness throughout the season. However, with critical rounds still ahead, there is hope for a turnaround in fortunes as the team works on addressing these challenges.
Conclusion
The latest setback for Ferrari highlights the ongoing struggles faced by the team during the 2025 F1 season. As they look towards crucial races ahead, including the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, there is a renewed focus on driver performance and car reliability to secure better results.
