Karun Chandhok tells Ferrari what ‘the root’ of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s problems are in 2025

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Ferrari have endured a nightmare season and fans can only have patience with their lack of performance for so long.

Lewis Hamilton’s debut campaign with them has arguably been one of the most difficult of his Formula 1 career so far.

Teammate Charles Leclerc hasn’t fared much better, either. Ferrari look set to go winless in a season for the first time in four years.

They’re still in the fight for second place in the constructors’ championship with three races to go, but even that’s a significant downgrade on 2024.

Hamilton’s contract runs for a ‘firm’ three years, which means that there’s plenty of opportunity for them to make use of the seven-time champion and his experience.

However, after a tricky Brazilian Grand Prix, Hamilton drove ‘like a maniac’, according to Marc Surer. He had a bit of a messy race, which resulted in a retirement.

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton’s Brazilian GP comments suggest Ferrari might have a ‘huge concern’ for 2026

Karun Chandhok says Ferrari’s car is ‘the root’ of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s problems

Ferrari CEO John Elkann spoke out publicly against his drivers after the race in Sao Paulo, suggesting that they needed to focus more on driving.

F1 fans gave Hamilton their support after his boss’s outcry, and there isn’t a feeling of agreement with him among the Tifosi.

In fact, Elkann made an even more bizarre comment after his ‘talk less’ comment, making a comparison to their World Endurance Championship team. But people have spoken out against his rant.

Sky Sports F1 pundit Jenson Button told Elkann to ‘lead by example’ in a post on their Instagram, while Karun Chandhok has now spoken out too, pointing out ‘the root’ of their problems.

“Reflecting on this a bit more. In reality, if the Ferrari was as good as the McLaren this year, then I truly believe that Charles and Lewis would have been title contenders, fighting for race wins,” he said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“The root of Ferrari’s problem is that the car hasn’t been fast enough this year.”

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton told he’s done something ‘unworthy’ of a seven-time F1 champion since joining Ferrari

Why John Elkann was wrong to speak out against Ferrari’s drivers

Regardless of who his comments were aimed at, it is a fact that Ferrari took a step back during the winter, and aren’t as strong as they were last year.

They were 14 points from ending a 16-year title drought in 2024. Now, after a winter car gamble, they’re nowhere and have been for the majority of the season.

Elkann should be blaming Fred Vasseur and his decision-making as team boss. His calls are the ones that lead to the car they put on the track.

With one of the most talented line-ups in the championship, they would have found a way to win with their car if it were capable of doing so this year. But it hasn’t, and the team needs to front up and do a better job in the future.