David Croft wonders if one Lewis Hamilton action has now upset Ferrari staff ‘behind the scenes’

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Lewis Hamilton will know that he’s about to face plenty of questions about his comments on Ferrari at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Ferrari chairman John Elkann was quick to call out Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc when the seven-time world champion admitted his first season with the team had been a ‘nightmare’.

Hamilton admitted this after a DNF at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, but his comment was intertwined with his excitement about helping Ferrari return to the top of the constructors’ championship.

Elkann won’t admit that Hamilton was a bad investment, but both drivers will know they need to impress the team’s chairman to avoid their positions being questioned.

David Croft and Jenson Button have been examining Hamilton’s position at Ferrari as his wait for an F1 podium with the team continues.

The Sky Sports F1 commentator has now explained how Hamilton might have upset some Ferrari staff since arriving from Mercedes less than 12 months ago.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

Lewis Hamilton’s feedback ‘behind the scenes’ might have upset Ferrari staff

Croft was speaking on The F1 Show about the situation at Ferrari. He said: “I think the atmosphere is not as bad as bad can be.

“I’m not sure John Elkann’s comments really helped motivate either of the drivers on that one.

“I did wonder as well when he said you should do more driving and less talking.

“Was that a thinly veiled message to Lewis, stop with the documents, stop trying to send things out to people at Ferrari and tell us how to do our job, just get on with what you’re paid to do rather than talking in the media.

“Behind the scenes, Lewis has admitted he has tried to offer suggestions, offer ideas as to how Ferrari could do things a little differently, and I’m not sure it’s gone down hugely well with a team that’s, what’s the best way to put this, set in their ways.

“They have a set way of doing things because they’re Ferrari and it has brought them success over the years.”

Button replied: “They’ve always had a lot of pressure on them to perform. Every F1 team does, but especially Ferrari.

“You’ve got the whole of Italy wanting Ferrari to win races. So, there’s so much outside pressure and internally for the whole team, and that’s for everyone in that team. So, I get it.”

Button suggested that Elkann could have privately found Hamilton and Leclerc to talk to them about their comments, wondering why he needed to publicly criticise ‘two of the best’ drivers in the world.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

Lewis Hamilton could be about to get the Daniel Ricciardo treatment at Ferrari

Hamilton’s contract reportedly runs until the end of 2027, but there are already question marks about whether he will see out the entirety of his deal.

Ferrari know they already have a ready-made replacement waiting in the wings in Oliver Bearman.

Bearman has been in great form in the second half of 2025, and while he’s unlikely to be called upon by Ferrari any time soon, he’s improving at a rapid rate.

Some people in the paddock have now suggested that Ferrari could pay Hamilton off to get him out of his contract early.

This is what Red Bull did to Daniel Ricciardo after last year’s Singapore Grand Prix to make way for Liam Lawson.

Hamilton and Ferrari have to find a compromise to make their partnership work. Otherwise, one of the exciting moves in the history of Formula 1 is going to end in failure.