Photo: Race Pictures

Ferrari chairman roasts Leclerc and Hamilton: 'Focus on driving and talk less'

13:56, 10 Nov

Updated: 14:03, 10 Nov

7 Comments

byTobia Elia

Ferrari president John Elkann delivered a sharp rebuke to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

“We have drivers who need to focus on driving and talk less”

- John Elkann

Speaking the day after a disastrous weekend in Interlagos, where Ferrari suffered a double DNF and lost further ground to Mercedes in the fight for second in the Constructors’ Championship, Elkann expressed his deep disappointment with the final result.

“In Brazil it was a huge disappointment,” he said on the sidelines of an event held to celebrate the partnership between Stellantis and the Italian Olympic Committee for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

“On one hand we see our mechanics doing excellent work, for example during pit stops, and our engineers — there’s no doubt the car has improved. Looking at the rest, it isn’t up to standard.”

Photo: Race Pictures

He then added bluntly: “We have drivers who need to focus on driving and talk less. We still have important races ahead, and securing second place in the Constructors’ Championship isn’t impossible. This is the most important message coming from Bahrain: it shows that when Ferrari is a team, we win.”

Finally, Elkann once again emphasized that he wants to see drivers devoted to the Ferrari cause, not focused on themselves.

“What matters in F1 is working cohesively. I repeat: the mechanics with the pit stops and the engineers are doing a great job to improve the car throughout the year. There are many areas that still need to get better, and we certainly need drivers who think not of themselves, but of Ferrari.”

Vasseur claims Leclerc could have fought for win in Brazil

After a tricky sprint qualifying and sprint race, the Monegasque managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat in qualifying, securing third on the grid behind Kimi Antonelli and pole-sitter Lando Norris.

In the race, it seemed there were all the ingredients for a potential victory — if only Leclerc’s race hadn’t lasted just a few laps, ended by a collision between Piastri and Antonelli that ultimately took out the unlucky Ferrari driver.

Without it, Frederic Vasseur believes that victory — or at least a podium — would have been within Ferrari’s reach in the race.

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