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Jenson Button rebukes Elkann's advice for Ferrari drivers

Nov 13, 2025, 1:08 PM20
(Update: Nov 14, 2025, 2:29 PM)
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Jenson Button rebukes Elkann's advice for Ferrari drivers

  • Ferrari chairman John Elkann criticized Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc for not focusing enough on driving after their double DNF at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
  • The season has been disappointing for Ferrari, as they haven't won a race in 21 opportunities and have faced criticism from both fans and experts.
  • Jenson Button's response indicates a growing discontent with Elkann's comments, highlighting the pressures on drivers and the need for unity within the team.
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In Brazil, following a disappointing double DNF at the Grand Prix, Ferrari chairman John Elkann criticized drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc for needing to 'talk less and focus on driving.' He praised the team's engineers and pit stops instead, highlighting that despite improvements in car performance, the drivers were not meeting expectations. The comments sparked backlash from fans and pundits, with Leclerc calling for unity within the team and Hamilton emphasizing his commitment despite a challenging debut season with Scuderia Ferrari. Elkann expressed disappointment in the season, during which Ferrari has struggled to achieve a race victory over 21 races. The atmosphere following Elkann's remarks has been heavy with emotions, particularly due to the stark contrast between Ferrari's achievement in the World Endurance Championship and their struggles in Formula 1. Jacques Villeneuve, a former F1 champion, labeled Elkann's statements as shocking and reflective of Ferrari's culture, suggesting they were not constructive in fostering a positive team environment. Villeneuve noted the importance of unity among the drivers, emphasizing the need for a united front in light of the lack of wins this season and the historical pressures at Ferrari. Both Hamilton and Leclerc have publicly discussed the emotional toll that this difficult season has taken on them. Hamilton, who has yet to finish on the podium this year, remarked that he will 'never give up,' even as he previously labeled his season with Ferrari a 'nightmare.' Leclerc, who has enjoyed more success with seven podiums, expressed concerns about the potential negative impacts of Elkann's comments on team morale, especially after such high expectations were set at the season's beginning. The contrasting outcomes for Ferrari's teams illustrate the broader challenges facing the Scuderia F1 team and the need for a unified strategy moving forward. As the 2025 season approaches its conclusion, the pressure mounts on both Hamilton and Leclerc to convert the team's engineering advancements into race wins. With the next race scheduled in Las Vegas from November 20-22, the team hopes to harness both recent successes and available resources to shift their fortunes and deliver stronger performances. The discontent within the team and surrounding words from Elkann may also contribute to how the drivers manage their relationships with the broader Ferrari environment, adding another layer of complexity to their performance in the upcoming races.

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