Jacques Villeneuve responds to John Elkann and highlights a recurring Ferrari problem

Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari SF-25, rear wing, engine, 2025 F1

Ferrari’s ongoing difficulties continue to affect the drivers, who receive plenty of support from fans but must internally deal with John Elkann. The President of the Maranello team made comments about the Formula 1 outfit that left many supporters displeased. After Ferrari’s victory in the World Endurance Championship, President John Elkann expressed his happiness with the result achieved by the 499P, before turning his attention to the open-wheel championship.“The mechanics did their job, as did the engineers. The drivers should focus on driving and talk less.” These remarks from John Elkann sparked extensive debate over the past few days. Jacques Villeneuve also stepped in to give his perspective on the matter.

Elkann strict with the drivers: Jacques Villeneuve’s reaction

The former Canadian driver said he was not surprised by the statements themselves, but rather by the timing, as they came during what should have been a celebratory moment after winning the World Championship in Bahrain. “In reality, we shouldn’t be so surprised, because we must remember what happened with Prost, Mansell, Alonso and Vettel. It seems to be a pattern at Ferrari. Ferrari comes before everything. And Ferrari will always protect Ferrari.”

“The strange thing is that I had not previously heard any comments from the drivers that could have damaged the team. Instead, it was the President of Ferrari who did so, and just after winning the World Endurance Championship. I believe he wanted to underline how the team achieved excellent results in WEC compared to Formula 1. But excuse me, that is a completely different championship.”

What Jacques Villeneuve criticizes most about these statements is Ferrari’s desire to have drivers who simply follow instructions without contributing to the team’s growth by pointing out what does not work. “A driver is not just an employee of the team. He is a human being: you also look for personality, for drivers who can think with their own head, drivers who can help the team progress. They are not robots that you place somewhere and that then do practically everything you want, simply with the touch of a finger.”

Are the drivers Ferrari’s problem or the team’s strongest asset?

The Tifosi strongly disagreed with Elkann’s words, as most believe that the only truly reliable element Ferrari can count on is its drivers. Inside the team, however, they often become the scapegoat for disappointing results on track. Jacques Villeneuve explained how he sees the situation of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. “Leclerc and Hamilton are united behind their team. Both used their social channels to call for unity. Ferrari really has to be careful, because the line is very thin. We have seen what happened to Prost, Mansell and almost all the other drivers with strong personalities at Ferrari. It would be a real shame if it ended like that again.”

“Ferrari is Leclerc’s home. He still has to prove that he can win a world championship. He has shown that he is fast. But maybe he is missing the technical ability needed to win the Formula 1 world title. There will be doubts about him in the minds of other teams, which in the meantime have already chosen their future drivers. This makes things more difficult for Leclerc because he has been on the grid for a long time. People move on.”

The Canadian concluded by speaking about the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion: “As for Hamilton, it is difficult to judge from the outside without knowing what is happening internally. Lewis Hamilton has been used to the same environment for so long that moving to a completely different one is obviously very complicated. Both sides have to adapt to each other. It cannot concern only one side.”