Ferrari faced a devastating weekend at the São Paulo Grand Prix, with both drivers retiring from the race and the team scoring zero points. Following the collapse, Ferrari chairman John Elkann publicly criticized the drivers, prompting immediate responses from Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc that pointed towards possible tensions within the Scuderia.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc Respond to John Elkann’s Criticism
Leclerc and Hamilton both responded swiftly to Elkann’s public criticism, using social media to deliver powerful messages about their commitment to the Ferrari team’s future. Leclerc emphasized the critical importance of unity moving forward, posting,
“A very difficult weekend in São Paulo. Disappointing to come back home with nearly no points at all for the team in what is a critical moment of the season to fight for the 2nd place in the constructors championship. It’s uphill from now and it’s clear that only unity can help us turn that situation around in the last 3 races. We’ll give it all, as always ❤️”
A very difficult weekend in São Paulo. Disappointing to come back home with nearly no points at all for the team in what is a critical moment of the season to fight for the 2nd place in the constructors championship. It’s uphill from now and it’s clear that only unity can help us… pic.twitter.com/tJjOBWmGfL
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) November 10, 2025
His repeated focus on unity appeared to be a direct response to Elkann’s comments about Ferrari needing to function as one cohesive unit to achieve success.
Hamilton delivered an equally forceful statement, declaring,
“I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever.”
I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever. Thank you, Brazil, always 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/bU4gAdCOb4
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) November 10, 2025
The seven-time world champion posted his message just hours after Elkann’s remarks went public, signaling that despite an extremely challenging first season at Ferrari, he remains fully committed and determined to fight for results in the final three races of the championship.
Ferrari chairman Elkann did not mince words when addressing the fallout from the São Paulo Grand Prix during an event in Milan on Monday. He stated that the drivers must “focus on driving and talk less,” suggesting that while the team’s mechanics and engineers have made improvements to the car, the performance from their drivers has been short of expectations.
MORE: Ferrari Fans Furious as John Elkann Brutally Blames Drivers for Sao Paulo Disaster
The disaster in Brazil proved costly for Ferrari’s constructors’ championship aspirations. The team tumbled from second place to fourth in the standings, dropping to 362 points, now sitting four points behind third-placed Red Bull Racing with 366 points and 36 points adrift of second-placed Mercedes with 398 points.
With three races remaining at Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, Ferrari remains mathematically capable of securing second place, though any further mistakes could prove fatal to those ambitions.
