Leclerc addresses Ferrari firestorm following Elkann remarks

Charles Leclerc has moved to cool the storm created by Ferrari chairman John Elkann’s blunt criticism of the team’s drivers last week, insisting the comments were “positive” in intent and born from a shared desire to push the Scuderia back to the front.

Elkann’s sharp public remarks – “we have drivers who need to focus on driving and talk less” – were delivered to the media in the aftermath of Ferrari’s disastrous double-retirement in São Paulo.

Although Leclerc was entirely blameless in his own exit, caught in the crossfire of a clash between Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri, he was still swept into the chairman’s assessment.

With Ferrari now tumbling to fourth in the constructors’ standings, the message from the top was unmistakable: the team needs more.

But Leclerc, speaking to reporters Wednesday in Las Vegas, rather than taking offence, responded with unity and gratitude for what he sees as rare honesty.

‘We are aligned’ – Leclerc Welcomes Elkann’s Straight Talk

“John and I have known each other for many years, so we have a very good relationship and obviously we've been working together for many years,” Leclerc said, stressing the depth of their mutual trust.

“We know each other and I know John is a very ambitious person and wants to push every people to the maximum in order to have the maximum results.

“He loves Ferrari, I love Ferrari, we all love Ferrari and we try to do the best in every situation.

"I didn't actually see the news. John called me before that, just like he does after every races to catch up, and to also tell me that the messages he wanted to send was a positive one in saying we need to do better and that is clear for everyone.

“So really, we are aligned and I'll do absolutely everything in order to bring back Ferrari to the top. This I've always said in the past and I've always tried my best. I'll try to do better. That really is the priority in the team and what we want to achieve.”

Honesty a Rare Commodity in F1

For Leclerc, Elkann’s comments weren’t a reprimand – they were a reminder that Ferrari’s standards demand constant improvement.

“John has always been very honest with me. And I think that is very rare; I've seen that throughout my career, when you are in Formula 2, Formula 3, it's very easy to meet people that are honest with you.

“When you get to Formula 1 and your status changes a little bit, it's a lot more difficult to actually find people that are honest with you.

John has always been extremely honest with me and when he thinks I've done something wrong or that anybody has done something wrong in the team, he will say it.

“Whichever way it's been expressed, I cannot really comment and it's not my job to comment. But the intent was positive and that's what really matters to me. So that's why I'm fine with that.”

Leclerc’s Own Message: Ferrari Stands Together

With Ferrari facing scrutiny after slipping behind Red Bull and Mercedes in the standings, Leclerc emphasised that Elkann’s words should be interpreted as motivation, not condemnation.

“You can always do more, you can always do better. And in everything I do, of course, I breathe Formula 1, I breathe Ferrari especially, and I've been a fan since forever and I always will be,” he said.

“You do your best, but that doesn't mean that you cannot do better. I always take criticism in a constructive way, so there's no hard feelings whatsoever.

“And again, the intentions of these words were positive and not negative and we'll just keep trying to do better.”

The 27-year-old then underlined the importance of unity at a time when outside noise threatens to overwhelm the team.

“We are united. And this is a message that is very important. I do understand that there's a lot of fuss around the team at the moment, but the relationship that John and I have, and John and the team has, doesn't change at all.

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“He's been very clear with what he said. As I said, he's always been very honest with us. When he says something, he means it. He spoke to all of us just like he does on a regular basis. It's very clear what he's intending to say. That's good for us.”

As Ferrari continues its fight for second in the constructors’ championship, Leclerc’s defiant show of solidarity sends its own message: the Scuderia may be under pressure, but it is pulling in one direction.

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