Ferrari chairman John Elkann delivered a pointed message to drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after their troubled performances at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, urging them to "talk less and focus on driving" as the team battles to salvage its 2025 season.
Both Hamilton and Leclerc exited Sunday's race early due to incidents that underscored Ferrari's ongoing struggles. Hamilton retired after suffering damage, an early pit stop, and a penalty, while Leclerc's front left wheel detached following a collision with Kimi Antonelli during a restart. The setbacks deepened Ferrari's frustration, leaving the team in fourth place in the Constructors' Championship—394 points behind the leaders with three races remaining.
Elkann, speaking at an Italian Olympic Committee event, acknowledged improvements in the team's engineering and pit stop performance but highlighted shortcomings elsewhere. "We have drivers who need to focus more and talk less," he said, emphasizing Ferrari's aim to finish second in the championship. "The car has improved, but consistency is still an issue."
Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this season seeking a title resurgence, has yet to podium and trails Leclerc in qualifying (16-5). Reflecting on his struggles after the race, he wrote on Instagram: "Brazil. Thank you for all the love, always... It's gutting, especially after some good progress, but we will move on." He admitted the season has been a "nightmare," but pledged to keep working with the team.
Ferrari's technical challenges have also hampered performance, with drivers forced to adjust their style to mitigate excessive plank wear—a problem that led to disqualifications in Shanghai. "We've had to raise the car's ride height to avoid penalties," explained a team insider, affecting speed and competitiveness.
Leclerc, meanwhile, analyzed the opening-lap collision that ended his race. While critical of Oscar Piastri's aggressive move into Turn One, he stopped short of blaming him entirely. "Oscar was optimistic, but Kimi didn't account for him being there," Leclerc said. "The blame isn't all on Oscar. These things happen."
Ferrari's focus now shifts to the Las Vegas Grand Prix (November 21-23), where Norris and McLaren aim to seal the title, while the Scuderia hopes to close the gap in the constructors' battle. With Hamilton determined to prove his doubters wrong and Leclerc seeking consistency, the pressure is on for Ferrari to address its issues before the season finale.
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