Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button has delivered a stinging six-word rebuttal to Ferrari chairman John Elkann, who publicly criticised drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Elkann's Controversial Comments
The controversy erupted after a disastrous double DNF for Ferrari at the Brazilian Grand Prix, prompting chairman John Elkann to make pointed remarks about his team's star drivers. In a statement on Monday, Elkann implored Hamilton and Leclerc to "talk less and focus on driving", while simultaneously praising the work of Ferrari's mechanics and engineers.
Elkann, who was instrumental in persuading Hamilton to make his high-profile switch from Mercedes, expressed his disappointment bluntly. "Brazil was a huge disappointment," he said. "If we look at the Formula 1 championship, we can say that our mechanics are winning the championship with their performance... If we look at the rest, it's not up to par."
Button's Viral Response
The comments drew immediate criticism from the F1 community, culminating in a particularly sharp response from 2009 champion Jenson Button. Responding to a Sky Sports F1 Instagram post about the situation, Button wrote: "Maybe John should lead by example."
Button's pithy remark has resonated strongly with fans, generating nearly 25,000 likes on the platform and adding significant weight to the growing criticism of Elkann's management style.
Drivers React and Team Struggles Continue
The Ferrari chairman's comments have not been well received within the team itself. Charles Leclerc has called for "unity" within the Scuderia camp, while Lewis Hamilton insists he will "never give up" despite previously describing his debut Ferrari season as a "nightmare".
Ferrari's on-track struggles provide a stark backdrop to this internal drama. The team is currently without a victory in 21 races this season, with seven-time champion Hamilton yet to secure a single podium finish in what has been a deeply underwhelming campaign.
The performance gap between teammates is also notable, with Hamilton trailing Leclerc by 66 points in the championship standings. Leclerc has managed seven podium finishes this year, highlighting the contrasting fortunes within the same garage.
As the team prepares for the Las Vegas Grand Prix on 20-22 November, with two rounds remaining thereafter, all eyes will be on whether this public airing of grievances affects track performance. Hamilton faces the prospect of his first-ever F1 season without a top-three finish if his podium drought continues.
