The Brazilian GP was a disastrous race for Ferrari, with both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton retiring from the race. This result sees the Scuderia drop to fourth in the Championship with just three rounds to go.
Should Ferrari end the season in P4, it would be their worst result in an F1 campaign since 2020. Given how close the Italian team were to winning the constructors’ title last year, their performance in 2025 has been a huge disappointment.
Of course, the 2026 regulations are a fresh opportunity for the team to put themselves back into Championship contention.
With that said, a team like Ferrari is always under immense pressure. This will be especially true next year, when a poor car will invite huge criticism and ring alarm bells about their chances for the entire regulatory cycle.
To make matters worse, Ferrari Chairman John Elkann has delivered some very harsh words about his drivers.
John Elkann criticises Hamilton and Ferrari
It was only a few months ago that rumours circulated about team principal Fred Vasseur’s future. These reports suggested that Vasseur was at risk of being replaced, owing to Ferrari’s failure to fight for the title.
These whispers were swiftly rejected by the Frenchman, who described these claims as pure fabrications. Within a few weeks, Ferrari cemented their commitment to the 57-year-old by announcing a multi-year contract extension.
This managed to quieten speculation at the time, especially because the team managed to recover positions in the standings.
However, as is often the case at Ferrari, poor results inevitably invite more instability and spotlight. This trend appears to be repeating itself, with John Elkann being openly critical of the team.
Specifically, Elkann called out the attitude of his drivers after last weekend’s race:
“We won the endurance championship in Bahrain, it was an extraordinary feeling to win both as constructors and as drivers.
“It’s a wonderful demonstration of the fact that when Ferrari is united, when everyone is together, great things can be achieved.
“Brazil was a big disappointment, and if we look at the Formula 1 championship…
“If we look at our engineers, there is no doubt that the car has improved. If we look at the rest, it is not up to standard.
“We certainly have drivers who need to focus on driving and talk less. We still have important races ahead of us, and it’s not impossible to finish second. And the most important invitation comes from Bahrain, where when Ferrari is a team, we win.”
More instability for the Scuderia
Ultimately, Elkann’s comments do little to improve the morale and general narrative surrounding the team.
The frustrations about Ferrari’s performance are understandable, given their significant resources and infrastructure. Having gone almost 20 years since their last F1 Championship, it is no secret there is a growing impatience at Maranello.
This year has obviously been very underwhelming for Ferrari, who could finish the year without a Grand Prix win.
Even Charles Leclerc’s manager has suggested that, without a winning car next season, the Monégasque will evaluate the options in next year’s market. For Leclerc’s patience to be running out speaks volumes about the situation at Ferrari.
Of course, Elkann’s remarks will not do anything to improve the situation at Maranello. Objectively speaking, the Italian outfit’s biggest limitation has been car performance – not the drivers behind the wheel.
Publicly criticising his own drivers is a move that, frankly, shows an eagerness to find a scapegoat for the team’s struggles.
In an era of Formula 1 where numerous outfits have the resources to contend for the title, such a mentality is unlikely to be conducive to meaningful success.
Main photo: Ferrari media gallery
