Nov.12 (GMM) Ferrari president John Elkann’s extraordinary public rebuke of his System 1 drivers continues to dominate headlines in Italy, dividing opinion throughout the nation’s main sports activities newspapers.
Following his feedback in Milan that Ferrari’s drivers ought to “discuss much less” and “assume not of themselves, however of Ferrari,” many within the paddock consider Elkann’s anger was aimed mainly at Lewis Hamilton.
Writing in Corriere della Sera, Daniele Sparisci mentioned the presidential outburst “was addressed particularly to Lewis.”
“A few of Charles’s feedback might have been irritating,” he famous, “however the message was for Hamilton. The honeymoon is over.
“Elkann is disillusioned together with his efficiency and a sure perspective. Hamilton, who has by no means stood on the rostrum, typically voices criticism – from inside dossiers to FIA penalties. In Brazil, he referred to as the stewards a ‘joke’ and was penalised 5 seconds for a collision with Colapinto.
“These are the sorts of scandals Ferrari rigorously avoids.”
Nonetheless, Carlo Vanzini of Sky Italia urged calm, saying the complete group – together with administration – ought to now keep silent and regroup.
“Ferrari’s embarrassing numbers, each in comparison with rivals and between their very own drivers, ought to make everybody in Maranello realise that maybe the perfect factor to do is to stay silent for some time,” he mentioned.
“Collect your ideas, sort things, and at last give the followers a automobile worthy of their love.”
In the meantime, Luigi Perna in La Gazzetta dello Sport shifted the main focus from the drivers to the group’s broader failings.
“They’re the one prime group to not have gained a single race this season,” Perna wrote. “The truth is, their final victory was the 2024 Mexican GP with Carlos Sainz – the very driver administration dismissed to make method for Hamilton.
“Ferrari has now gone 25 races with no win, the sixth-worst drought in its historical past.”
Amid renewed rumours that Elkann stays unconvinced by group principal Frederic Vasseur, the president informed Corriere dello Sport he nonetheless helps him – at the very least for now.
“He’s utterly centered on his job – making certain the group can return to the highest,” Elkann mentioned.
He then drew a pointed comparability with Ferrari’s endurance racing success. “We’re extraordinarily proud of the nice victory within the WEC championship, which got here in a troublesome 12 months and was attainable due to unity.”
