Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton reflect on tough F1 Brazil GP weekend and indirectly respond to Johan Elkann’s comments about lack of unity.
Following the double retirement in F1 Brazil GP at Interlagos on the same weekend as double title victories in WEC in Hypercar on the drivers’ and constructors’ side, Ferrari boss Elkann kick-started a bitter run of words after his statement to Sky Sports Italia.
While praising the WEC counterparts, Elkann stressed on unity among drivers to attain common goal of world championships. He wants the drivers to focus on the work and driving rather than talking about things. The aim for F1 2025 remains to attain second in the constructors’ championship.
“We won the Endurance world titles in Bahrain, and it was an extraordinary feeling,” said Elkann. “Winning both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships shows that when Ferrari is united, when everyone works together, we can achieve truly great things. Brazil was a big disappointment. Looking at the Formula 1 championship, we can say that we have our mechanics, who are basically winning the championship with their performance and everything that has been done on the pitstops.
“Our engineers have undoubtedly improved the car. But when it comes to the rest, it is still not up to par. And surely we have drivers who need to focus on driving and talk less. We still have important races ahead of us, and it is not impossible to achieve second place [in the constructors]. This is the most important message, because Bahrain itself is the demonstration that, when everyone at Ferrari work together, we win,” summed up Elkann.
The comments from Ferrari chairmen drew severe criticism on social media, especially considering the underperformance of the F1 team as a whole rather than drivers talking. A lot of them felt that both Leclerc and Hamilton have held back on any detrimental criticism of the Italian outfit.
While reflecting on the tough weekend in Brazil, Leclerc and Hamilton made a timely post on social media, which many believed was a response to Elkann’s comments. Both the drivers stressed on unity, while backing the F1 team in separate posts.
The Monegasque even posted a photo of Frederic Vasseur from his weekend collection. “A very difficult weekend in Sao Paulo,” wrote Leclerc. “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 2nd place in the constructors championship.
“It’s uphill from now and it’s clear that only unity can help us turn that situation around in the last 3 races. We’ll give it all, as always.” At the same time, Hamilton wrote one single sentence to show his backing: “I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever. Thank you, Brazil, always.”
Here’s Ferrari drivers on tough Brazil GP