Leo Turrini’s advice to John Elkann: “If he thinks the drivers are the problem, he should change advisors”. F1 journalist Leo Turrini reacts to Ferrari president John Elkann’s controversial comments.

The recent remarks made by Ferrari president John Elkann on the sidelines of the Brazilian Grand Prix have sparked widespread debate. In his comments to the media, the head of the Scuderia praised the mechanics for their excellent pit stops and the engineers who, according to him, had done a solid job developing the SF-25. However, according to Elkann, the “rest” wasn’t working—specifically, the drivers. The heir of the Agnelli family suggested that the drivers were a major factor in Ferrari’s lack of competitiveness, implying they should talk less and focus solely on driving.

These statements, widely echoed in the media, are only partly justifiable, and arguably apply only to Lewis Hamilton, who has occasionally made blunt remarks about the team this season and has collected disappointing results. Nevertheless, it is clear that Ferrari’s more pressing problems in Formula 1 lie elsewhere: without a car capable of competing at the highest level, no driver could realistically bring home a world championship.

Constructive words?

Elkann’s comments appeared divisive but, according to Maranello, were intended to motivate both the team and the drivers. Without an official clarification, however, many perceived the president’s words as a reaction to the blunt statements from Brazil—both Charles Leclerc calling the car “slow” and Hamilton’s colorful Saturday comments. These were not new complaints for 2025, yet they seemed enough to prompt John Elkann to urge the drivers to focus more on the team’s growth and speak less to the media, aiming for a “united team,” drawing comparisons with Antonello Coletta’s Hypercar squad.

This situation has generated widespread discussion among F1 insiders and fans alike. Among the commentators, Leo Turrini shared his analysis on his blog Profondo Rosso, reflecting on John Elkann’s statements.

Turrini speaks

Leo Turrini noted that “Elkann is different in certain respects, positively, from common perception. After a weekend full of contrasting emotions—the triumph of the 499 and the double zero for Leclerc and Hamilton—what does the successor of Drake, Montezemolo, and Marchionne do? He launches a direct attack on Charles and the Baronetto. Sure, they may share some responsibility, but they cannot be blamed for an entire failed season.”

He continued, “If Ferrari hasn’t won since 2007, perhaps the problem isn’t who is driving. Of course, Ferrari mechanics are skilled. The real issue lies with Maranello’s engineers and those managing them: out of 21 Grands Prix, Ferrari has achieved zero wins and sits fourth in the championship. Hamilton has underperformed so far, but what car has he had? Leclerc has been waiting for a decent car since high school.”

Leo Turrini emphasized, “Elkann genuinely cares about Ferrari. But if the grandson of Gianni Agnelli thinks that the problem lies with outspoken drivers, then at the very least he needs to reconsider his advisors, consultants, and managers. Since the days of Michael Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen, Ferrari hasn’t been able to consistently compete at the top—not Alonso, Vettel, Leclerc, or Hamilton can be blamed. If this is not understood, then victory will remain out of reach.”