Was Ferrari’s Chairman Too Harsh on Hamilton and Leclerc? Pressure Rises Ahead of F1’s Triple-Header Finale

As Formula 1 heads into a rare three-race sprint to close the 2025 season, attention is split between the tense title fight and a wave of controversy brewing inside Ferrari. Lando Norris carries a commanding 24-point advantage over McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri heading into the Las Vegas Grand Prix, but headlines away from the Strip have centred on John Elkann’s sharp criticism of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

Ferrari’s chairman caused a stir when he urged both drivers to “focus on driving and talk less” after a difficult run of results. The comments arrived less than a day after Hamilton labelled his debut season at Maranello “a nightmare,” sparking immediate speculation about tension at the top.

Hamilton, however, has long been known for emotional outbursts following tough weekends. Earlier this year he described himself as “useless” after the Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying — remarks made in frustration but quickly walked back. His comments in Brazil fit a similar pattern, despite him later emphasising his faith in the team’s long-term direction.

The accuracy of Elkann’s assessment is more questionable. He praised Ferrari’s mechanics for delivering the fastest average pit stops in the championship — a justified compliment — but also insisted the engineering group had “undoubtedly improved the car.” The data tells a different story: Ferrari’s average qualifying deficit has grown from 0.372s in the first half of the year to 0.472s in the second, widening the gap to Red Bull and McLaren.

Leclerc, meanwhile, has arguably been one of the standouts of the grid. His performances have remained consistently sharp despite a car that lacks top-end pace, and his critiques of Ferrari’s limitations have been factual rather than inflammatory. The Monegasque has demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the team through years of fluctuating form, making Elkann’s rebuke particularly surprising.

Ferrari insist the comments were intended as motivation, but with the team far adrift of championship-winning performance, the timing could risk unsettling two of the most high-profile drivers on the grid.

Across the paddock, the debate about driver influence continues. The current field boasts extraordinary depth: Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Fernando Alonso — three all-time greats — headline a generation reinforced by exceptional talents like Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, and George Russell. With seven elite drivers at once, the smallest margins matter more than ever.

Telemetry and shared data have narrowed the gaps between team-mates, while modern simulation tools allow rookies to adapt quickly. Oliver Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, and Isack Hadjar are all proof that young drivers can succeed even under strict testing restrictions. F1 has expanded rookie sessions and encouraged the use of previous-generation cars, making the learning curve less daunting than it once was.

Looking ahead, Aston Martin’s prospects under Adrian Newey have become a major off-track storyline. Newey’s track record in regulation resets is remarkable: McLaren’s dominance in 1998, Red Bull’s rise in 2009, and their modern era resurgence in 2022 all carry his fingerprints. But Aston Martin remain a team in transition, with recent structural changes that could delay the stability required for a title bid.

As the season reaches its dramatic final act — Las Vegas, Qatar, Abu Dhabi — the championship battle may belong to Norris and Piastri, but the biggest off-track questions revolve around Ferrari’s internal dynamics and the looming 2026 regulation overhaul.

For more Formula 1 coverage, analysis, and breaking motorsport stories, follow Betway Arabia’s dedicated sports news updates.