Lewis Hamilton responds to Ferrari president John Elkann’s critical remarks with defiant message
Lewis Hamilton has broken his silence following Ferrari president John Elkann’s controversial comments that appeared to criticise both Ferrari drivers — Hamilton and Charles Leclerc — for not doing enough to elevate the team’s Formula 1 performance.
The seven-time world champion, who joined Ferrari this season in a historic move after over a decade with Mercedes, took to social media just hours after Elkann’s statements circulated widely across the motorsport world. His post, while not mentioning the Ferrari president directly, was seen as a strong and defiant response to what many interpreted as public blame directed at the drivers.
In a short but pointed message, Hamilton wrote: “I will never give up. My focus has always been on improving, growing, and pushing myself and the team forward. Every challenge is an opportunity to rise.”
The timing of his statement clearly suggests it was a reaction to Elkann’s remarks, which came during an event in Milan earlier this week. The Ferrari president, fresh from celebrating the company’s triumph in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) after the AF Corse-run Ferrari squad clinched the title at the 8 Hours of Bahrain, made a series of pointed comments about the Formula 1 team’s current form.
“Ferrari wins when it is united, as the WEC results have shown us. When everyone is together, great things can be achieved,” Elkann said. He then appeared to shift focus to the Scuderia’s Formula 1 operations, adding, “Brazil was a huge disappointment. In Formula 1, we have mechanics who are always first in performing pit stops. The engineers work to improve the car. The rest is not up to par.”
He continued with what many perceived as a thinly veiled criticism of his driver duo: “We have drivers who need to focus on driving, talk less, and we have important races ahead of us. It is not impossible to finish second. This is the most important message coming out of Bahrain: when Ferrari is a team, we win. We need drivers who think more about Ferrari and less about themselves.”
Elkann’s comments came just days after a difficult weekend for Ferrari at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where both Hamilton and Leclerc failed to finish the main race. Leclerc’s race ended early when he was involved in a first-lap incident while running near the front of the pack. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s afternoon unravelled after he collided with Alpine’s Franco Colapinto in what he later admitted was a “bizarre and costly misjudgment.” The impact severely damaged his Ferrari, forcing him to retire halfway through the race.
Despite securing six points in the Sprint event, the double DNF in the Grand Prix itself dealt a serious blow to Ferrari’s hopes in the Constructors’ Championship, dropping them to fourth overall with only three race weekends left in the 2025 season.
Sources close to the team have suggested that Elkann’s words were meant as a “motivational push” rather than a direct rebuke. The Ferrari hierarchy reportedly believes that public pressure can serve to inspire a renewed sense of unity and focus within the team. However, the remarks have sparked debate among fans and analysts, many of whom believe the president’s criticism risks sowing division rather than unity — especially given Hamilton’s ongoing adaptation to the team and Ferrari’s still-developing car.
Hamilton, renowned for his professionalism and relentless work ethic, has often spoken about the importance of internal support and collective accountability within an F1 organisation. Since joining Ferrari, he has repeatedly praised the passion of the Italian fans and the dedication of the engineers and crew but has also been vocal about the challenges of extracting consistent performance from a car that remains unpredictable.
Insiders suggest that Hamilton’s social media post was not just a message to Elkann but a reaffirmation of his commitment to the Ferrari project — signalling that despite public criticism, his resolve remains unshaken. “Lewis is determined to prove himself,” one source close to the team said. “He’s frustrated by the recent results, but he knows success will come with time and cohesion.”
As the Formula 1 season nears its conclusion, Ferrari faces mounting pressure to reclaim its form. The Maranello-based team has shown flashes of brilliance this year but has struggled with reliability, strategy errors, and inconsistent pace — issues that have repeatedly cost them valuable points.
For Hamilton, Elkann’s comments may only serve as further motivation. The 39-year-old Briton remains one of the sport’s most driven and decorated figures, and with three races remaining, he appears determined to end the season on a high note and silence any lingering doubts about his dedication to Ferrari’s cause.
As Hamilton put it succinctly: “Every setback is a setup for a comeback.”
