F1 fans think Ferrari are now in ‘damage control’ mode after seeing their latest social media posts

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Ferrari have been in turmoil in 2025 as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton struggle to find performance, and John Elkann’s recent comments have made matters worse.

The Maranello outfit are without a win this season with three races to go, with Hamilton failing to score a podium from the first 21 Grands Prix. Ferrari are pushing to finish P2 in the constructors’ championship, but their disaster in Sao Paulo dropped them down to fourth.

Leclerc was caught up in a collision with Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli after the safety car restart, forcing him to retire. Hamilton hit the back of Franco Colapinto on the opening lap, causing his front wing to lodge under his car and damaging the floor.

The seven-time champion retired from the race on lap 40, marking the end of another wretched weekend in red. Hamilton said he was ‘living a nightmare’ at Ferrari, which prompted sensational criticism from chairman John Elkann.

He told his drivers to ‘talk less’ and focus more on driving after hearing Leclerc and Hamilton’s complaints about the car and the 2025 season. This led to speculation about internal conflict within Ferrari, which the team have tried to shut down.

F1 fans think Ferrari are in ‘damage control’ mode after seeing their latest posts with Lewis Hamilton

Recently, Ferrari have posted videos on social media of Hamilton speaking with his engineers and colleagues in Maranello. This can be implied as a way of showing that the team is united despite Elkann’s scathing attack.

But F1 fans are not buying it in the slightest. Writing under one post on X (formerly Twitter), they accused Ferrari of being in ‘damage control’ mode as they try to diffuse the ongoing rift within the team.

“OK guys we get it. The damage control posts are insane now,” wrote one fan, while another questioned: “Are they actually listening to him, or is this just damage control??????????”

“Weird how you’re posting more about the driver they pretend isn’t part of the team, considering they don’t listen to him. Are they actually listening to him now? Or is it just for show?” said one user.

Another told Ferrari to take on board Hamilton’s feedback after constantly complaining about the car: “Maybe they should LISTEN to the 7 x time champion & 100+ winner … Just a thought.”

Some fans have even called for Elkann to be dismissed, with one saying: “After Elkann’s disastrous comments about the drivers, the team’s media suddenly starts showing videos from Maranello, even though they didn’t do that all year. #ElkannOUT respect the drivers and be less fake.”

Finally, another added: “I get you’re in damage control mode but how is a heavily edited pr type video supposed to make us look past the chairman saying shut up and drive? until we see a drastic change in results & a Team attitude we still need #elkannout.”

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

What caused John Elkann to publicly criticise Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton?

Fred Vasseur called Elkann after the Brazilian Grand Prix, which may have led to his public outburst towards Leclerc and Hamilton. He bought into his team principal’s excuses for the race, and Vasseur potentially even blamed his drivers for the poor results.

Ralf Schumacher thinks Elkann was upset with Leclerc over his links to Aston Martin. Rumours have been circulating that the Monegasque driver is exploring his options for 2027, as he is growing impatient with Ferrari’s lack of success.

The friction within the Maranello outfit is clear to see, despite what the team may say or post. Ferrari claim Elkann’s comments were to encourage the team, but if anything, it has had the opposite effect.

With the 2026 F1 regulations around the corner, Leclerc and Hamilton will be desperate to see improvements from Ferrari. However, with the team’s stubbornness about their approach, things could get sour if there are no major changes.