Hamilton responds with grace to Ferrari chairman's blunt words

Lewis Hamilton has moved to ease any tensions stirred by Ferrari chairman John Elkann’s pointed remarks following the team’s costly double retirement in São Paulo, insisting the comments were understood, accepted, and rooted in passion rather than criticism.

Elkann caused a stir last week when he urged Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc to “focus on driving and talk less” after Ferrari’s struggles in Brazil dropped the Italian outfit to fourth in the Constructors’ standings with just three races remaining.

But asked in Las Vegas on Wednesday whether it was even possible for him to focus more on driving than he already does, Hamilton was quick to respond with characteristic clarity while defending his commitment to the Scuderia.

“Not really,” he said. “I wake up thinking about it, and I go to sleep thinking about it, and I think about it while I'm sleeping. So, anything, I have to focus on being able to unplug more.”

Far from aggrieved, Hamilton stressed that he understood Elkann’s remarks in context.

“I know where John's intentions are. That's why I didn't take anything from the comment,” he explained.

“We speak sometimes several times a week, so we have spoken several times since last week. It's all about bringing the team together and we are all really together. We are all deep in it.”

For Hamilton, Elkann’s passion is not a problem but a defining Ferrari trait.

“The passion just runs so deep. But I love that and I can never fault someone for having passion like that.”

A United Team Despite the Setbacks

Even as Ferrari’s 2025 campaign has unravelled into inconsistency and frustration, Hamilton urged calm, perspective, and collective responsibility.

“We all need to take responsibility in this team,” he said. “We all need to play our part. And I know that there's so much passion in this team, every single member of this team.”

The seven-time world champion was quick to credit the effort happening far beyond the spotlight of race weekends.

“I'm incredibly grateful for the extraordinary effort every single person back at the factory continues to put in week on week.

“And actually, knowing that the team is Ferrari, there's always a huge amount of attention, not always in a positive way, but we're all fully committed to turning this around.”

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Hamilton reaffirmed that he remains fully invested in the long-term project he joined just ten months ago.

“And I'm fully committed to helping this team rebuild and grow. Every opportunity, every challenge is an opportunity for us to grow and learn, and I firmly believe that we will get to where we want to be.”

Despite the pressure, he insists the internal atmosphere remains strong.

“I think there's great harmony within a team, even with all the ups and downs that we've been having. And I just think everyone's just focused on taking the learnings from this year to build on a better future.”

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