Las Vegas set to reveal Ferrari’s response to John Elkann’s criticism
The upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix is shaping up to be a crucial moment for Scuderia Ferrari, offering Formula 1 fans their first real opportunity to judge how the team has reacted to the pointed remarks recently made by chairman John Elkann. His criticism, directed at both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after a troubled outing at the São Paulo Grand Prix, has added a new layer of tension to Ferrari’s already turbulent 2025 campaign.
Elkann suggested that the drivers should prioritise their on-track duties instead of airing frustrations publicly. His comments came shortly after Lewis Hamilton described his debut season with Ferrari as a “nightmare”, a remark that overshadowed the more constructive tone he adopted after his DNF in Brazil. German commentators Ralf Schumacher and Peter Hardenacke have since speculated that Elkann’s message may have also been an indirect warning regarding Charles Leclerc’s long-term future within the team.
Rumours surrounding the Monegasque driver have only intensified, with reports claiming that Charles Leclerc’s management recently explored discussions with Aston Martin. Such a move would dramatically shift the landscape of the 2026 Formula 1 driver market and could leave Ferrari facing yet another high-profile challenge.
Ferrari insiders reportedly frustrated by Charles Leclerc’s radio behaviour
On the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Peter Hardenacke explained that internal sources at Ferrari felt increasingly uncomfortable with the tone of Charles Leclerc’s radio communications throughout the 2025 season. According to the broadcaster, several engineers and mechanics believed that the team leadership did not fully align with their efforts to shield the driver from escalating criticism.
He shared that people familiar with the situation had noticed a pattern: Leclerc often used team radio to express irritation when strategies misfired, setups felt wrong, or operational mistakes compromised his race. These messages, described as lingering “echoes” that remained in the minds of those listening, were perceived by some as a destabilising element for a team already under immense pressure.
Peter Hardenacke questioned whether Charles Leclerc’s increasing openness was helping Ferrari’s cohesion or whether such conversations might be more productive behind closed doors. His analysis suggested that John Elkann himself might have grown weary of the public nature of these frustrations.
Schumacher agreed with this assessment, saying that Ferrari had repeatedly found themselves dealing with emotionally charged radio exchanges not only from Leclerc but also from Hamilton. He argued that while a certain level of emotion is inevitable in Formula 1, and occasional expletives are understandable in the heat of battle, the tone coming from Ferrari’s drivers in 2025 had gone beyond what he considered reasonable. The former F1 champion believed this behaviour risked damaging the team’s internal dynamics.
Leclerc’s frustration is rooted in Ferrari’s inconsistent 2025 performance
Despite the criticism, many observers acknowledge that Charles Leclerc has had legitimate reasons to lose patience with Ferrari this year. Throughout the season, the Monegasque driver has repeatedly lined up for strong results only for reliability issues, misjudged strategies, or operational mistakes to derail his chances.
One of the most striking examples came at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Leclerc had the pace to fight for victory, but a mismanaged final pit stop destroyed his opportunity to challenge for the win, leaving him fourth at the chequered flag. His anger over the radio reflected the magnitude of the lost result.
The Singapore round told a similar story. Despite showing promising speed earlier in the weekend, Charles Leclerc could finish only sixth, once again voicing clear frustration about Ferrari’s decisions and execution.
With tensions mounting and results falling short of expectations, Las Vegas will be a revealing test. Fans will be watching closely to see whether Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton adjust their behaviour following Elkann’s intervention—or whether the strain of Ferrari’s underperforming SF-25 continues to influence their mindset.
Unless Ferrari find a way back into the fight for podiums and victories, the likelihood of calmer radio messages appears slim. The Las Vegas Grand Prix may not only determine the direction of Ferrari’s season but also shape the futures of both of its star drivers.
