What began as a dream partnership could already be turning into a nightmare for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari. Behind the scenes in Maranello, tensions are reportedly growing between the British driver, the engineering department, and Ferrari president John Elkann. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion is said to be pushing for internal reforms to the team’s procedures and working culture, but not everyone in the factory is willing to follow his lead. After weeks of subtle criticism from Hamilton regarding the car and team operations, Elkann’s latest public comments seem to make his position clear.
A double retirement is never easy to digest, especially at such a critical point of the season. Yet, following the disastrous Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, John Elkann’s reaction came as a real thunderbolt within Ferrari. His words were neither diplomatic nor generalized — this time, the Ferrari president’s frustration seemed directed at someone very specific.
By calling for “fewer words and more results” from the drivers, Elkann sent an unmistakable message to Lewis Hamilton. After all, it would be hard to blame Charles Leclerc, who once again exceeded expectations during the weekend before becoming an innocent victim of the Turn 1 chaos. Hamilton, on the other hand, failed to impress in both qualifying sessions, and his controversial contact with Franco Colapinto was hardly what fans would expect from a seven-time world champion.
Hamilton and Ferrari on tense terms: discontent grows in Maranello
Elkann’s statement therefore appears to be aimed directly at one of his two drivers. But why silence Hamilton so openly in what has already been a difficult and transitional season for Ferrari? According to several reports, the answer might lie in the corridors of Gestione Sportiva, where growing unease surrounds the team’s newest star recruit.
As Giuliano Duchessa highlighted in his analysis for AutoRacer.it, some of Hamilton’s comments have reportedly created friction among key technical staff at Maranello. The former Mercedes driver has been pushing to import elements of the Brackley-style culture into his new team, proposing significant procedural and methodological changes that challenge long-established practices within Ferrari’s engineering departments.
Hamilton’s intention is clear — he does not want to become yet another high-profile casualty of Ferrari’s rigid system, as once happened to Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. From his point of view, the only way to win again is to have the courage to change everything. But internal reports, his comments to the media, and visible frustration on track may have irritated parts of Ferrari’s leadership, especially in the absence of convincing on-track performances.
Elkann sides with Ferrari’s engineers
By publicly praising the hard work of Ferrari’s mechanics and engineers, John Elkann seems to have made his position clear in this internal debate. The Ferrari president once again voiced his confidence in Frédéric Vasseur and his management, emphasizing the steady progress made with the SF-25. These improvements, while encouraging, have largely come from the increased operational discipline demanded by the team principal — though the car’s fundamental weaknesses remain evident.
Elkann’s message is therefore one of unity and focus. Ferrari wants to rebuild a shared sense of purpose at a pivotal time for its future. Between the lines, his comments seem to urge both drivers — or perhaps just one of them — to stay grounded and work collectively towards the team’s long-term goals. The target is clear: a cohesive structure capable of leading Ferrari into the 2026 technical revolution stronger than ever before.
“Less talk, more results” — that is the guiding principle Elkann appears to be enforcing as the Scuderia Ferrari aims to follow the winning example set by its sister team in the World Endurance Championship. Whether Hamilton will accept that direction or continue to push for his own vision of change may define the future balance of power inside Maranello.
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