Ferrari chairman John Elkann has publicly criticised the performance of drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis hamilton, expressing frustration with the teamS winless season despite a strong showing in 2023. The remarks, intended as a catalyst for improvement, come as McLaren has already secured the constructors’ championship with six races remaining.
Elkann’s comments reflect the disappointment within Ferrari, who narrowly missed out on the constructors’ title last year. The constructors’ championship not only carries prestige but also significantly impacts prize money, with each position worth approximately $10m (£7.6m).
The criticism follows a especially difficult weekend for Ferrari at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where the team secured only six points thanks to fifth and seventh-place finishes from Leclerc and Hamilton respectively in the sprint race. Leclerc acknowledged the challenging weekend on social media, stating it was “very difficult” and “disappointing to come back home with nearly no points at all for the team in what is a critical moment of the season to fight for the second place in the constructors’ championship.”
Leclerc added: “It’s uphill from now and it’s clear that only unity can help us turn that situation around in the last three races. We’ll give it all, as always.”
Hamilton, who won the sprint race in China earlier this season but is yet to achieve a grand prix podium finish this year, also voiced his commitment, posting on social media: “I back my team, I back myself. I will not give up. Not now,not then,not ever.”
During the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Leclerc qualified third but was forced out of the race following a collision with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli after contact with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Leclerc has secured seven podiums this season, with a best result of second place in both Monaco and Mexico.
