Lewis Hamilton has brushed off critical remarks from Ferrari chairman John Elkann, insisting he understands the intentions behind the call for the team’s drivers to talk less and focus more following a disastrous run of form for the Scuderia.
Facing the media ahead of this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc presented a united front, downplaying the headlines generated by Elkann’s comments after the team’s double DNF at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix two weeks ago.
Elkann’s criticism came in the wake of a nightmare weekend in Brazil that saw Ferrari slip to fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.
The Chairman publicly stated that “we have drivers who need to focus more and talk less,” a remark widely interpreted as a rebuke of his star lineup during a winless 2025 campaign.
However, Hamilton, who is enduring a difficult debut season in red with no podiums to his name, refused to take offense.
“I know where John’s intentions are. That’s why I didn’t take anything from the comment,” Hamilton said on Thursday. “We speak sometimes several times a week, so we have spoken several times since last week. It’s all about bringing the team together.”
When asked if it was possible for him to focus any more on racing, the seven-time world champion was candid: “Not really. I wake up thinking about it, and I go to sleep thinking about it… So, if anything, I have to focus on being able to unplug more.”
The 2025 season has not gone to plan for Hamilton or Ferrari. High pre-season expectations following his blockbuster move from Mercedes have dissolved into a fight for scraps. Ferrari currently sits fourth in the standings, 36 points behind second-placed Mercedes and four adrift of Red Bull.
Hamilton admitted the year has been a nightmare at times but remains steadfast in his decision to join the Italian marque.
“It has been the most challenging year and definitely not the year I would ever dream of, especially in your first year at Ferrari,” Hamilton acknowledged. “But I firmly believe in the decision I made to come here… I stand here stronger than I have ever been, dead set on trying to finish off strong in these last few races.”
Charles Leclerc, who currently sits fifth in the Drivers’ Championship, 66 points ahead of Hamilton also moved to diffuse the tension.
He revealed he had a private call with Elkann shortly after the comments were made.
“John called me, like he does after every Grand Prix… regarding what he intended to say,” Leclerc explained. “John wanted to be constructive and push the team to do better. The best thing I can do as a driver is focus on the track and do my best.”
With three rounds remaining in the 2025 season, Ferrari is desperate to salvage some pride and potentially climb back into the top three. The team will be hoping the glitz of the Las Vegas strip can provide a backdrop for a much-needed turnaround, as they look to close the gap to Mercedes and Red Bull.
Practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix begins late Thursday night local time.