Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the accusatory tone of John Elkann’s statements, particularly directed at his drivers, and his alleged informant who…
The past two weeks have been turbulent for Ferrari, given the media storm triggered by John Elkann’s comments following the Brazilian Grand Prix. Engineer Luigi Mazzola suggested that, due to the president’s limited knowledge of Formula 1, he probably relies on an informant who reports what happened, although there are many doubts about this person’s alleged activity.
Ferrari ended the Las Vegas weekend in fourth position with Charles Leclerc and eighth with Lewis Hamilton. Both drivers gained positions in the final classification following the double disqualification of the McLarens, reopening a drivers’ championship that seemed firmly in the hands of Lando Norris. The result was far from satisfying for Maranello, as the American track represented perhaps the last real chance of finishing the season with a victory, which now seems increasingly difficult to achieve.
John Elkann against Lewis Hamilton?
“I suspect that whoever informs Elkann must be protecting themselves because, coincidentally, they saved Fred Vasseur and the engineers while blaming the drivers. You can’t say anything to Leclerc—he hasn’t had a competitive car for seven years. At the Brazilian GP weekend, Lewis Hamilton was the one speaking most about the team; in recent weeks, he has been the most vocal against the team and certain internal mechanisms. He filled Maranello with dossiers, and Elkann’s remarks might have been directed at him, out of disappointment that he was the one who pushed so strongly for it. The reaction of the British press suggested that Hamilton was the main target,” said Umberto Zapelloni during the latest episode of Race Anatomy, aired after the Las Vegas GP.
The situation regarding a supposed informant remains unclear. It is unknown whether such a figure actually exists, though given John Elkann’s limited knowledge of Formula 1, it is plausible. If Umberto Zapelloni’s theory is correct, it would once again highlight the fragmentation within Maranello, regardless of whether the statements referred to Lewis Hamilton or not. In short, there seems to be a lack of unity, and we know how crucial this is within a team. The main concern in this regard is for 2026, when the sport will see its biggest regulation change in history. Ferrari must be fully prepared; otherwise, more difficult years could lie ahead.
Blame games, leaked briefings and public finger-pointing are the last thing a team needs when it’s trying to build a title challenger from scratch. If Maranello cannot get everyone rowing in the same direction before the new era begins, another cycle of disappointment feels almost inevitable.
As one Italian commentator put it after Las Vegas: the cars might be red, but right now the warning lights inside Ferrari are flashing brighter than ever.
