John Elkann made an even more bizarre comment about Ferrari just after telling drivers to ‘talk less’

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Ferrari chairman John Elkann has remarkably told Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to ‘talk less’ after a double DNF at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The result demoted the team to fourth place in the constructors’ championship.

Elkann believes Ferrari’s mechanics and engineers are delivering, citing their strong pit-stop performance and purported laptime gains, but he questioned the ‘focus’ of his two drivers.

“If we look at the championship, we can say that, on the one hand, our mechanics are winning the pit stop championship with performance,” he said. “If we look at our engineers, there’s no doubt that the car has improved.

“If we look at the rest, it’s not up to par. We have drivers who it’s important to focus on driving and talk less.”

Leclerc has scored all seven of Ferrari’s podiums this year, and the consensus in F1 is that he’s maximised his machinery. Hamilton has disappointed in his debut season, but the SF-25 is fundamentally flawed, with drivers often forced to lift and coast during races to avoid a disqualification for excessive plank wear.

John Elkann makes strange WEC comparison as he addresses Ferrari F1 struggles

Just after criticising Leclerc and Hamilton, Elkann pointed to Ferrari’s more successful racing arm in the World Endurance Championship. They beat Toyota and Porsche to win the title in the Hypercar class.

According to Elkann, this shows what can be achieved when a team is truly united.

“Winning the Endurance World Championship in Bahrain is proof that when Ferrari is a team, we win,” he said, via Gazzetta dello Sport.

Ferrari WEC boss Antonio Colletta was linked with the top F1 job when Fred Vasseur’s position came under scrutiny earlier this year. Vasseur has since signed a new contract.

But Elkann’s comparison suggests he doesn’t fully understand the series he oversees.

There are controversial ‘Balance of Performance’ regulations in place in the WEC, with power and weight adjusted to equalise the field. This makes the category fundamentally different from F1, so Colletta’s triumph can’t really be used as a benchmark for Vasseur’s team, even though both cars have the same badges.

Were John Elkann’s comments aimed at Charles Leclerc?

Edd Straw of The Race says Elkann’s remarks ‘can only be interpreted as a pointed criticism of Leclerc’. He has arguably expressed more frustration in his media appearances.

Indeed, Jacques Villeneuve recently observed that Hamilton has been more focused on 2026, even if he shares the same angst over the SF-25’s limitations.

Elkann’s clear media message, which may have been premeditated, is risky in the context of Leclerc’s uncertain future.

The Monegasque will be asked to respond immediately when he enters the Las Vegas paddock next week, along with Hamilton and Vasseur.