Guenther Steiner nails the truth behind John Elkann’s criticism of Ferrari F1 drivers. Ferrari face internal tension after John Elkann publicly criticised Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

Ferrari have been under intense scrutiny since chairman John Elkann publicly criticised his drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, following a disastrous outing at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The comments, made after yet another disappointing weekend in São Paulo, have sparked widespread debate throughout the Formula 1 paddock about Ferrari’s internal dynamics and leadership approach.

During the Interlagos race, both Ferrari drivers were forced to retire — with Charles Leclerc’s exit coming after a collision with Kimi Antonelli, leaving the Monegasque with no chance to avoid contact. Although that incident was out of his control, the team’s overall performance once again failed to impress. Despite still fighting for second place in the Constructors’ Championship, Ferrari’s pace with the SF-25 has consistently fallen short of expectations.

Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with the Scuderia has been far from smooth, as the British driver reportedly submitted detailed feedback documents outlining areas where Ferrari needed improvement. However, internal sources suggest some within the team dismissed his recommendations — a questionable decision considering Hamilton’s extensive technical experience and seven world titles. Ignoring his input, according to many analysts, only underlines deeper issues within Ferrari’s structure and communication channels.

Karun Chandhok and Guenther Steiner identify Ferrari’s deeper problems

Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok recently reflected on what he believes to be the root of Ferrari’s ongoing struggles. In his view, the team’s difficulties go far beyond car performance and point to systemic issues that cannot be solved overnight. Ferrari’s inability to establish consistent leadership, combined with frequent design overhauls and strategic missteps, continues to undermine progress.

Guenther Steiner, former Haas F1 Team Principal, also weighed in with his perspective on John Elkann’s remarks, calling the comments “strange” and “unnecessary.” Steiner explained that while Elkann, as Ferrari’s ultimate leader, has every right to voice his opinions, airing such criticism in public reflects poor leadership. According to Guenther Steiner, criticising drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc — both of whom have shown immense dedication and effort despite the team’s shortcomings — sends the wrong message to both fans and the workforce.

Steiner argued that a company as historic and prestigious as Ferrari should focus on unity rather than division, especially during challenging times. He also noted that John Elkann’s decision to single out his star drivers while omitting any mention of Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur was puzzling. In Steiner’s eyes, strong leadership involves accountability at every level, not just from those behind the wheel.

Leadership tensions and Ferrari’s long-term challenge ahead of 2026

The internal tension at Maranello has placed even more pressure on Ferrari to deliver results when the new 2026 Formula 1 regulations come into effect. The Scuderia have long promised to focus their resources on the upcoming power unit and chassis revolution, but patience among fans — and perhaps even within the team — is beginning to wear thin.

To justify that long-term investment, Ferrari must return to consistent podium contention and race-winning form by the start of 2026. Many insiders believe that if John Elkann is looking for accountability, the scrutiny should fall more heavily on management and technical leadership, particularly Frédéric Vasseur, who oversees both operational and performance decisions. The drivers, critics argue, can only extract performance from the machinery they are given.

Charles Leclerc, in particular, has reportedly been frustrated by operational errors and recurring mechanical issues that cost him valuable points in Brazil. These types of setbacks underline the need for Ferrari to streamline processes and rebuild internal efficiency before the next major rule change. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton — still searching for his first win with Ferrari — continues to push for improvements while maintaining faith that the Italian team can eventually deliver a car capable of challenging for championships again.

Ferrari’s leadership now faces a defining test. The Scuderia’s reputation for excellence is on the line, and with mounting public criticism, the team must now show that it can evolve beyond politics and inconsistency — and finally bring back the glory that has eluded them for over a decade.