Team principal Fred Vasseur might have played a part in Ferrari chairman John Elkann’s criticism of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc following the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Elkann voiced his frustrations with both drivers on Monday after another poor weekend for the team. Ferrari fell from second to fourth in the constructors’ standings, picking up just six points in Brazil.
Problems started early in Sprint Qualifying, with Leclerc finishing P8 and Hamilton only managing P11 before dropping out in SQ2. Leclerc did line up P3 for the main race, but Hamilton was down in P13. The race didn’t get much better, as Ferrari suffered their second double DNF of the 2025 season.
Did Vasseur’s response after Sao Paulo trigger Elkann’s reaction?
Leclerc was forced to retire early after getting caught up in the Turn 1 incident between McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Later, on Lap 38, Hamilton was told to retire due to floor damage, making it a double DNF for Ferrari.
Hamilton had already been dealing with issues from the opening lap, where contact with Williams driver Carlos Sainz left him behind Alpine’s Franco Colapinto. In an attempt to regain position, Hamilton rear-ended Colapinto, causing significant damage that ultimately led to his retirement.
According to Top Speed, Elkann called team principal Vasseur after the race. During that call, Vasseur is reported to have given another explanation for Ferrari’s struggles and may have even placed some of the blame on Hamilton and Leclerc.
This isn’t the first time Elkann has responded strongly. After this latest result in Brazil, his comments appeared directed mainly at Hamilton following remarks made by the seven-time world champion on Sunday.
Lewis Hamilton’s ‘nightmare’ comment won’t have gone down well with John Elkann
Speaking at a Milan event for the 2026 Winter Olympics, Elkann didn’t hold back in his criticism of Hamilton and Leclerc, telling them to “focus on driving and talk less,” and stressing that Ferrari needs drivers who put the team before themselves.
But it wasn’t just a phone call with Vasseur after the race in Brazil that set Elkann off. Hamilton’s public admission that he is living a “nightmare” at Ferrari, as his wait for a podium drags on, also played into the chairman’s frustrations.
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Hamilton is now 21 rounds into his time with Ferrari after joining Maranello for the 2025 season. But the seven-time world champion hasn’t finished higher than fourth in any Grand Prix, with his F1 Sprint win in China back in March still standing as his only bright spot so far.
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