Button elaborates on Elkann critique: ‘Just go have a chat’

Jenson Button has doubled down on his criticism of Ferrari chairman John Elkann, sharpening his message after the executive publicly told Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to “talk less” and “focus on driving.”

The 2009 F1 World Champion says the remarks betrayed not only the pressure-cooker reality of life at Ferrari, but also a baffling choice to air grievances publicly rather than address them directly, in private.

Elkann’s controversial comments – delivered at a Milan sponsorship event in the wake of Ferrari’s bruising double DNF in São Paulo – landed like a thunderclap.

After sparing the mechanics and engineers, he declared that “the rest is not up to par,” before adding: “We have drivers who need to focus on driving, talk less, and we have important races ahead of us, and it is not impossible to finish second.”

Button chimed in on social media, suggesting that Elkann should perhaps “lead by example”. He then unpacked the issue further on Sky’s The F1 Show.

Button: ‘Just go have a chat’

The Briton didn't hold back on the unique challenge that comes with managing Ferrari – but insisted there's a grown-up way to handle it.

“They’ve always had a lot of pressure on them to perform,” he said. “Every F1 team does, but especially Ferrari.

“You’ve got the whole of Italy wanting Ferrari to win races, so there’s so much outside pressure and internally for the whole team – and that’s for everyone in that team.

“So, I get it. There’s a lot of pressure. But, I mean, John only has two cars in the red garage.

“It’s very easy to find your racing driver and go and talk to him and say: ‘You know what? That’s not cool, that’s not the way we do business. That’s not the way we work as a team’ [or] ‘Well, let’s talk about why you need to do that. You know? Why do you feel the need to be sending so and so this and that?’

“I get it, you’re trying to help. But this is how it’s always been at Ferrari. And yes, we might be willing to change, but let’s talk it over.

“Communication is the best thing in anything, but especially in a team, when you have thousands of people working to develop a car, and you’ve got two drivers that are two of the best in the world. Just go and have a chat. They have a lot of experience as well of racing for the best teams in the sport.”

Ferrari Pressure Boils Over

Ferrari’s leadership has never shied from public scrutiny, but Elkann’s blunt rebuke – aimed at two of the most accomplished drivers on the grid – struck many observers as counterproductive.

Button’s central point is simple: There are easier, more constructive ways to handle tension inside a team that carries the weight of an entire nation’s expectations.

Read also:

• Villeneuve: Elkann’s comments shocking but it’s ‘the Ferrari way’

The double DNF in Brazil, combined with the chase to salvage second in the Constructors’ Championship, has visibly frayed nerves in Maranello. But Button argues that strain is exactly when communication should be at its clearest – and most private.

Whether Elkann takes the hint remains to be seen. But after Button’s latest volley, the spotlight now burns just as brightly on Ferrari’s boardroom as it does on its iconic scarlet cars.

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