**Ferrari Chairman John Elkann’s Remarks: A Sign of Waning Patience with Lewis Hamilton?**
Ferrari chairman John Elkann’s recent pointed remarks towards the drivers have raised eyebrows, sparking speculation that the team’s patience with Lewis Hamilton may be wearing thin. In a move that surprised many, Elkann openly stated that the drivers need to “focus on driving, and talk less.” While he didn’t specify which driver he was addressing, reports quickly linked the comments to Hamilton.
The partnership began amid much fanfare in 2024 when the 7-time F1 champion announced his departure from Mercedes. At the start of 2025, Hamilton was warmly welcomed by the passionate Tifosi upon his arrival in Maranello. However, 21 races into the season, it’s fair to say things have not gone as hoped. Hamilton himself admitted as much after the Brazilian GP, calling his first season with Ferrari a “nightmare.”
Elkann’s comments have not been well received, and perhaps rightly so. The root cause of Ferrari’s struggles does not lie with the drivers. Yet, this public outburst signals the team’s growing frustration with its star signing.
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### The Context Behind Elkann’s Comments
Before analyzing Elkann’s remarks, it’s important to understand the context. Just last weekend, Ferrari celebrated a major success by clinching the World Endurance Championship (WEC), marking another triumph for their Endurance Program. Along with this year’s Le Mans 24-hour victory, Ferrari’s endurance racing efforts are clearly thriving.
In stark contrast, Ferrari’s Formula 1 campaign has faltered. The team recently slipped to 4th place in the constructors’ championship — their worst finish in the ground-effect era if it holds. To add insult to injury, Hamilton endured a disastrous race weekend in Brazil. Despite a decent sprint race, he struggled in qualifying and race day. He was eliminated in Q2, while teammate Charles Leclerc secured P3. During the race, Hamilton collided with Carlos Sainz at Turn 1, then damaged his front wing after hitting the back of Franco Colapinto’s Alpine, resulting in a DNF.
While Ferrari’s Endurance Program continues to reap rewards, their biggest F1 signing has once again underperformed during what turned out to be a disastrous weekend. In response, Elkann said:
> “We have drivers who it is important that they concentrate on driving, that they talk less, and that we have important races ahead of us, and it is not impossible to get second place. This is the most important message that comes from Bahrain when Ferrari is a team, we win.”
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### Lewis Hamilton’s Underwhelming Performances So Far
Reviewing Hamilton’s season with Ferrari, it’s difficult to argue his performances have met expectations. Several mitigating factors exist—this is his first team change in over a decade, and Ferrari operates differently from every other team on the grid. Moreover, he faces a daunting teammate in Charles Leclerc.
That said, Hamilton was not brought to Ferrari to play second fiddle. He was signed to lead the team. Yet, the numbers tell a one-sided story:
– Leclerc has secured 1 pole position; Hamilton none.
– Leclerc boasts 7 podiums and 214 points; Hamilton has zero podiums and 148 points.
– Except for Silverstone, there are very few race weekends where Hamilton has outperformed Leclerc.
For a driver of Hamilton’s caliber and experience, Ferrari’s expectations are understandably high. Clearly, the current results are a disappointment to both the team and Elkann.
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### Hamilton’s Push for Change Within the Team
Hamilton is known to be a demanding driver who expects excellence from his team. With a decade of championship-winning experience, he understands the details required to compete at the highest level.
True to form, Hamilton has been vocal about needed changes at Ferrari, reportedly sending numerous notes and documents to senior management outlining his suggestions. However, for a team with established ways of working, this has caused friction. Reports suggest some insiders are uneasy with his outspoken approach, especially as his on-track results have not justified the authority he initially commanded.
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### The Erosion of Authority
When Hamilton joined Ferrari, his seven world championships and proven track record gave him a high level of respect and influence within the team. His feedback was welcomed as he adjusted to the new environment.
Unfortunately, as his performance has faltered, so has his authority. Suggestions and complaints that were once embraced now face resistance. Team members are less receptive to demands from a driver who has yet to deliver consistent results.
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### The Emergence of Ollie Bearman
Adding to Ferrari’s internal challenges is the rise of British rookie Ollie Bearman. In an impressive debut season, Bearman has taken a notable step forward in recent races. Comparing the past three rounds:
– Bearman scored 22 points driving for Haas.
– Hamilton tallied 23 points in the Ferrari.
When considering the stark difference in machinery, these statistics paint a worrying picture for Ferrari—that their high-profile and expensive signing is struggling to justify his place.
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### Reflections on John Elkann’s Public Comments
Targeting drivers like Hamilton and Leclerc in the media is a questionable move from Elkann. If Ferrari genuinely wants to end its prolonged championship drought, it must acknowledge that drivers have rarely been the main issue.
Since 2008, Ferrari’s F1 drivers have included:
– Felipe Massa
– Kimi Räikkönen
– Fernando Alonso
– Sebastian Vettel
– Charles Leclerc
– Lewis Hamilton
Any of these drivers, given the right car and support, have the capacity to win titles. Ferrari’s ongoing failures stem largely from weaknesses within the team and car package rather than driver shortcomings.
Even the former pairing of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc was deemed capable of winning the championship — if the car were competitive enough.
By spending heavily to sign Hamilton, Elkann altered this balance, introducing a challenging dynamic within an already dysfunctional team. Reports suggest Hamilton is paid more than twice Ferrari’s lead driver, Leclerc, but his performances have not reflected that investment.
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### What Ferrari Needs to Do Moving Forward
Despite Hamilton’s struggles, his vast championship-winning experience remains invaluable. Ferrari would be wise to leverage this expertise rather than alienate its star signing.
Unfortunately, the Italian team’s traditional ways and internal politics may prevent a necessary course correction. Without it, another high-profile acquisition risks becoming another unfulfilled promise.
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**Conclusion**
John Elkann’s comments have cast a spotlight on Ferrari’s internal tensions as the team grapples with underperformance in F1. While frustration is understandable, publicly admonishing drivers may do more harm than good.
Ferrari’s path back to glory lies in strengthening the team as a whole, supporting its drivers effectively, and harnessing the wealth of experience within the garage — including that of Lewis Hamilton. Only then can the Scuderia hope to rise again and meet the lofty expectations of its fans worldwide.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/john-elkann-s-comments-outrageous-lewis-hamilton-blameless