Ferrari’s Brazilian Grand Prix debacle has prompted a rare public response from Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, following a pointed rebuke from chairman John Elkann. The double DNF marked the second time this season both Scuderia cars failed to finish at Interlagos, underscoring the team’s turbulent campaign. Leclerc’s race ended prematurely after a collision with Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli, which left the Ferrari with irreparable front suspension damage.
Hamilton’s outing was similarly calamitous. Tangled with Carlos Sainz and later making contact with Franco Colapinto, the seven-time world champion sustained significant front-wing and floor damage, leading to a five-second penalty and eventual retirement on lap 38. The duo’s performance in the sprint offered minimal consolation, with fifth and seventh-place finishes yielding only six points combined—a paltry sum for a team with championship aspirations.
Elkann, who personally orchestrated Hamilton’s move to Maranello, did not mince words, emphasizing the need for focus and unity. Speaking at a recent sponsorship event, he highlighted that while Ferrari’s mechanics and engineers are delivering exceptional results, the drivers must prioritize performance over public commentary. He pointed to the team’s World Endurance Championship victory in Bahrain as evidence of what cohesion can achieve, implicitly contrasting it with the chaos in Brazil.
The drivers responded carefully, navigating the delicate balance between loyalty and defiance. Hamilton took to social media with a resolute message of self-belief and support for the team, asserting, “I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever.” Leclerc echoed a similar sentiment, stressing the importance of unity to overcome the points deficit and vowing to give his all in the final three races of the season.
With the Las Vegas Grand Prix looming, Ferrari faces a critical juncture. The team now trails second-placed Mercedes by 36 points in the Constructors’ Championship, leaving little room for error. Both Hamilton and Leclerc will need to convert technical precision into results, balancing internal dynamics and championship pressures, as Maranello’s iconic status hangs in the balance.
