Ferrari in Crisis: The Breaking Point

Tensions are boiling over at Scuderia Ferrari. The double DNF at Interlagos — with Hamilton’s car damaged from the start and Leclerc taken out in a chain collision — has pushed the team into full-blown crisis mode. Ferrari has now fallen to fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, and their so-called “Dream Duo” is raising more doubts than hopes: 113 combined wins, yet none since Mexico 2024.

Amid growing frustration, Ferrari president John Elkann, heir to the Agnelli empire, finally broke his silence with a blunt statement that shook the paddock:

“They should talk less and focus on driving. Ferrari needs drivers who think less about themselves and more about the team.”

The remarks, delivered during the Italian National Olympic Committee Hall of Fame ceremony, were a direct warning to his star drivers after weeks of internal tension and disappointing results.

The Painful Contrast for Maranello

Elkann’s outburst comes at an ironic time. While Ferrari celebrated its double World Endurance Championship title in Bahrain with the #51 car of James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi, and Alessandro Pier Guidi, the Formula 1 team continues to crumble.
In endurance racing, unity and discipline delivered glory; in F1, ego and disconnection are driving the team apart.

As Corriere dello Sport put it bluntly:

“They’re tired of the diva attitudes. It’s a message to the Dream Team that was supposed to dominate — at least in theory.”

Elkann reinforced the sentiment: “Ferrari wins when it’s united. In F1, we have the best mechanics and engineers, but we need drivers who are fully committed to the group.”

Hamilton and Leclerc Under Pressure

The tension has deepened since Carlos Sainz’s departure. Known for his technical input and strong bond with Ferrari’s engineers, Sainz helped elevate the car’s performance before leaving. His replacement, Lewis Hamilton, has yet to find comfort with the Ferrari setup, while his driving style clashes with Charles Leclerc’s, who prefers a looser rear end and sharper corner entry.

Neither Hamilton nor Leclerc are considered heavy technical contributors — a growing problem within the team’s structure. Elkann’s comments weren’t offhand remarks; they were a warning shot to a fractured team that’s lost its unity and direction.

In Maranello, the message is clear: Ferrari doesn’t need more speeches. It needs victories.