F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Winning Ferrari has shed its 'culture of guilt' – Elkann

Ferrari chairman John Elkann says the Italian outfit's return to the winner's circle this season is in part rooted in the Scuderia's culture which has changed from "one of guilt to one of accountability".

After four races, Ferrari currently leads both the Constructors' and the Drivers' Championships, with Charles Leclerc sitting atop the latter thanks to his wins in the Bahrain and Australian GPs.

Ferrari's return to prominence has come on the back of Formula 1's significant regulation overhaul for which the Scuderia diligently prepared last season, its departments in Maranello working tirelessly to design its 2022 new-generation car, the F1-75.

Asked at Imola recently how Ferrari had succeeded in turning around its fortunes after several years of lack of success, Elkann pointed to changes undertaken on the engineering front but also to culture and mentality changes at Maranello.

Ferrari chairman John Elkann and company CEO Benedetto Vigna

"We focused in 2020 on the F1-75 and we entrusted Mattia and the team to work, despite all the pressures of those years, on this year’s car," said Elkann, speaking to F1 TV. 

"We changed also our culture, from one of guilt to one of accountability, to one of individuals to one of team, creating a cohesive environment.

"But more importantly, high ambition, with high humility."

Elkann underscored Ferrari's talented duo of drivers comprised of Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz. But the Stellantis chairman emphasized once again the strong united front that the Scuderia has put together.

“We have two great drivers on their own merits, but more importantly they’re a team,” he said.

"And that’s what is important for Ferrari, and something I’m very proud of personally is to see how Ferrari as a team, from our drivers to our engineers and mechanics, have worked well together.

"Our performance at the pit stops, 48% under three seconds in 2020, going up to 78% in 2021 and this year we are at 89% and that tells it."

So far, Ferrari and Red Bull have competed in a league of their own this season.

Ahead of next week's Miami Grand Prix, Leclerc holds a 27-point advantage over Max Verstappen in the Drivers' standings, while the Scuderia leads the bulls by 11 points in the Constructors' championship.

But Elkann is cautious not to put the cart before the prancing horse, knowing all too well that past performances are no guarantee of future success.

“We said we’d be competitive, which we are," said the 46-year-old executive. "From being competitive to winning is like going to the moon or going to Mars, extremely difficult

“We well know that championships are won or lost at the last race, at the last lap, and this with variables we control and many we don’t, which is why Formula 1 is such an exciting sport and we are, as Ferrari, so excited about this challenge."

Assessing Formula 1 as whole and the merits of the sport's new-generation cars, Elkann gave Grand Prix racing's new era a big thumbs up.

"I think it’s great, I think it’s wonderful to see how it’s become fun, that the competitiveness has increased, that a lot of talent is coming to Formula 1," he said.

"And I credit Chase Carey and Stefano Domenicali for the great work they’ve achieved in giving a future to Formula 1."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

McLaren: No regrets over timing of Norris pit stop in Sao Paulo GP

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has insisted that the squad has no regrets about their…

1 hour ago

Williams' Boutsen hoists the mainsail in Adelaide

On this day in 1989, Williams' Thierry Boutsen secured his second F1 win when he…

2 hours ago

Horner: Max 'answered critics' with epic Sao Paulo GP drive

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed Max Verstappen’s sensational Sao Paulo Grand Prix victory…

3 hours ago

Sainz left puzzled by double crash drama in rainy São Paulo

Carlos Sainz was left scratching his head after a disastrous Sunday at the Sao Paulo…

4 hours ago

Alonso pushed through agonizing pain to complete Sao Paulo GP

Fernando Alonso braved both physical agony and mechanical challenges in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix,…

6 hours ago

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

20 hours ago