Ferrari needs to adopt Lewis Hamilton’s past media strategy to dodge further criticism from John Elkann. Ferrari faces growing concern over Lewis Hamilton’s emotional post-race reactions.

Lewis Hamilton’s troubled Las Vegas Grand Prix has reportedly caused concern inside Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello, not because of the result on paper, but because of the emotional reaction that followed. After qualifying at the very back of the grid, Lewis Hamilton managed only a modest recovery drive to 10th place before penalties for both McLaren drivers eventually promoted him to eighth. Yet it was the tone of his post-race reflections that captured the attention of fans, journalists and, according to insiders, senior figures at Ferrari.

The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion described the weekend as one of the most difficult of his season, admitting that he had struggled throughout the event and had found it hard even to match Nico Hülkenberg’s pace during the race. As the minutes passed in the media pen, his mood appeared to deteriorate further, to the point where he brushed aside questions about his long-term future in the sport. His downbeat appearance left reporters surprised, as even during previous low points with McLaren and Mercedes he rarely projected such visible frustration.

According to journalist Edd Straw, Ferrari might need to rethink how it handles Hamilton’s media commitments if it wants to avoid similarly negative portrayals that could irritate chairman John Elkann. Elkann had already expressed dissatisfaction with both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after the Brazilian Grand Prix, arguing that Ferrari’s drivers must show a more united and publicly supportive front during difficult weekends.

Ferrari urged to delay Lewis Hamilton’s media pen interviews

Speaking on The Race F1 Podcast, Straw explained that Hamilton’s demeanour immediately after the Las Vegas race made it clear that he was carrying the weight of a deeply disappointing weekend. Straw, who observed the Ferrari driver from a short distance while interviewing others, noted that Hamilton appeared visibly dejected. Fellow journalist Jon Noble added that Hamilton’s tone can often be predicted within seconds, explaining that the distance he keeps from journalists in the pen usually reflects his emotional state — and in Las Vegas he reportedly maintained a noticeable physical and emotional gap.

Straw argued that Lewis Hamilton’s mood tends to fluctuate sharply depending on his on-track fortunes. While this may be true for most drivers, he believes Hamilton’s emotional range in the moments immediately after the race is unusually broad. Straw also suggested that Mercedes’ past practice of delaying Hamilton’s post-race interviews helped him gather his thoughts and present a more balanced explanation of what happened. Without that buffer time, he warned, Ferrari risked allowing raw frustration to dominate the narrative and unintentionally feed speculation that Hamilton is unhappy or contemplating future changes.

Why Ferrari must pay close attention to both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton ahead of 2026

Team principal Frédéric Vasseur currently has the advantage of managing two of the most naturally gifted drivers on the current F1 grid. Yet both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are known for expressing their frustrations openly, especially when they feel the team is falling short. Leclerc openly admitted in Las Vegas that Ferrari has failed to understand how to optimise performance in wet conditions during his seven years with the team — an admission that raised eyebrows across the paddock. Hamilton, meanwhile, has never been a driver to mask his emotions or dilute his assessments when speaking publicly.

Rather than attempting to restrict these reactions, Vasseur and Elkann must use them as valuable feedback while the team prepares for the sweeping regulation changes coming in 2026. Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz has already suggested that Hamilton may be underwhelmed by early concepts of Ferrari’s 2026 project based on recent remarks, making it even more important for the leadership group to take driver concerns seriously.

Ferrari may ultimately benefit from adjusting the timing of Lewis Hamilton’s media commitments, allowing him a cooling-off period after qualifying and after races. A brief delay could help him offer more composed and informative answers during what could become the most demanding season of his career. By managing emotions more strategically — rather than trying to silence them — Ferrari can ensure that both Hamilton and Leclerc remain constructive, supportive and aligned as the team targets a competitive leap in the new Formula 1 era.