Jonas Leo
Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has publicly criticized Ferrari chairman John Elkann for what he described as "poor leadership," following Elkann’s public remarks targeting Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and, notably, Lewis Hamilton. The contentious comments from Elkann emerged in the wake of Ferrari’s disappointing performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix, a race that saw the storied Maranello outfit lose ground in the fiercely contested Constructors’ Championship.
Elkann’s initial statements, made to Sky Sports Italy after the Brazilian GP, conveyed a clear message regarding the team’s Formula 1 efforts. Ferrari had dropped from third to fourth place in the Constructors’ standings after the Interlagos event, a setback for a team with championship aspirations. In his interview, Elkann lauded the efforts of Ferrari’s mechanics and engineers while pointedly suggesting that the drivers needed to re-evaluate their priorities.
"Brazil was a big disappointment," Elkann stated. "Looking at the Formula 1 championship, we can say that we have our mechanics, who are basically winning the championship with their performance and everything that has been done on the pitstops. Our engineers have undoubtedly improved the car. But when it comes to the rest, it is still not up to par. And surely we have drivers who need to focus on driving and talk less. We still have important races ahead of us, and it is not impossible to achieve second place [in the constructors]. This is the most important message, because Bahrain itself is the demonstration that, when everyone at Ferrari works together, we win."
These remarks, particularly the directive for drivers to "focus on driving and talk less," quickly reverberated through the Formula 1 paddock, eliciting strong reactions from various figures within the sport. Among the most vocal was Guenther Steiner, known for his candid and often blunt assessments during his tenure as Haas team principal and now as a prominent media commentator.
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Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner acknowledged Elkann’s hierarchical right to critique, but firmly condemned the public nature of the chairman’s comments. "He is allowed to critique because in the end he’s the boss, but I think he shouldn’t do that in public," Steiner explained. This distinction between internal accountability and public censure formed the core of Steiner’s argument against Elkann’s approach.
Steiner expressed particular concern for Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s highly-rated Monegasque driver, who has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to the team despite often challenging circumstances. "With Lewis, you know… But Charles, the guy puts his heart and soul into this, everything. What more do you want from Charles?" Steiner questioned, highlighting Leclerc’s dedication and effort. This defense underscores the perception among many in the F1 community that Leclerc consistently extracts maximum performance from his machinery.
The former Haas chief also viewed Elkann’s public differentiation between the praised mechanics and engineers and the criticized drivers as detrimental to team morale and leadership. "It is not showing good leadership to say, ‘This guy is doing it right, the mechanics are good, the engineers are good, but you guys are bad’ in public," Steiner asserted. He further noted the absence of any comment regarding Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur in Elkann’s critique, finding it "weird to say the least, to make a comment like this, from a person at that level of the company, the highest level." Steiner implied that such top-level remarks carry significant weight and impact without needing external validation or permission.
Another point of contention for Steiner was Elkann’s apparent comparison of Ferrari’s Formula 1 struggles with its recent success in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Ferrari AF Corse secured the 2023 Hypercar World Championship, a notable achievement for the brand. However, Steiner dismissed this comparison as inappropriate for Formula 1. "But if you have nothing good to say, say nothing in that position. Obviously, they won the sportscar championship, which congratulations, but you cannot compare the two championships," Steiner stated. He elaborated on the fundamental differences, noting that WEC is a "Balance of Performance championship," where regulations are designed to equalize machinery, unlike the open development and competitive structure of Formula 1. "Formula 1 is a different kettle of fish," he concluded, emphasizing that success in one discipline does not automatically translate to the other, nor should it be used as a direct benchmark for internal criticism.
Steiner further challenged Elkann by raising the crucial point of accountability in driver selection, particularly in light of the mention of Lewis Hamilton. "Also, who decided the drivers? Sometimes you have to look in the mirror. For sure he agreed to hire Lewis, that’s my understanding," Steiner remarked. This comment is especially pertinent given the highly publicized announcement that seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025. Steiner’s implication is that if Elkann is to criticize the drivers, he must also acknowledge his role in their recruitment and the strategic decisions that led to their presence in the team. "I critiqued this guy but I picked him, maybe I’ve done something wrong. If he made the wrong decision, if he feels so."
The 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix proved to be a particularly challenging event for Ferrari. Charles Leclerc was forced to retire on the formation lap due to a hydraulic issue, preventing him from even starting the race from his advantageous second-place grid slot. His teammate, Carlos Sainz, managed to finish in sixth position, salvaging some points for the Scuderia. This combined result allowed Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team to leapfrog Ferrari into third place in the Constructors’ Championship, significantly diminishing Ferrari’s chances of securing a higher finish in the final standings. The disappointment at Interlagos was palpable, potentially fueling Elkann’s candid outburst.
Steiner acknowledged the emotional weight of such a defeat for a high-ranking official like Elkann. "I don’t know what they [Hamilton and Leclerc] said. I don’t get it. Maybe he was a little bit emotional when he said it, they won the [WEC] championship and didn’t even get in the points, both cars dropped out in Brazil, can you imagine how disappointed he was? Maybe he was a bit p***ed off," Steiner speculated, offering a potential, albeit not excusatory, context for the chairman’s remarks.
Ferrari’s 2023 Formula 1 season, under the leadership of Team Principal Fred Vasseur, was characterized by flashes of brilliance interspersed with periods of inconsistency and operational errors. While Leclerc secured pole positions and Sainz delivered the team’s sole victory of the season in Singapore, the team ultimately struggled to maintain a consistent challenge against Red Bull Racing and, at times, Mercedes. The public critique from the chairman, particularly involving a future driver like Hamilton and a current stalwart like Leclerc, raises questions about internal team dynamics and the pressure exerted from the very top of the Ferrari hierarchy as the team looks ahead to a pivotal 2025 season with Hamilton’s arrival. The incident underscores the intense scrutiny and high stakes involved in managing one of Formula 1’s most iconic and passionately followed teams.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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