1996 F1 champion Damon Hill has highlighted the unfortunate reality that Ferrari drivers have to face when driving for the iconic team. The Briton’s comments come as a reaction to the Ferrari chairman John Elkann’s public criticism of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
After the team’s double DNF at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Elkann compared the F1 squad Scuderia’s World Endurance Championship team, which won its second consecutive title during the same weekend in Bahrain. He appreciated the engineers and mechanics for their excellence, but called for ‘cohesiveness’ in the F1 squad, asking its drivers to ‘talk less and focus on driving.’
Elkann’s comments drew vast amounts of criticism from the motorsport world. Damon Hill also commented on the controversy, saying (via Mirror):
“It can be quite… I don’t know what the right word for it is. It’s not humiliating, but it can be demoralising a little bit. I’m sure he must have said that to them in private, but when you say something in public, then it can be undermining.”
The Briton highlighted how drivers of the legendary F1 team seem to be momentary assets for the team.
“But ultimately, the Ferrari boss pays them and they’re there to do a job, so that is always the relationship. You’re supposed to be working for the team. If they’ve been saying the wrong things, you’re going to get some kickback every now and then. It does highlight the fact that the driver is someone who’s passing through, and the team stays, particularly a team like Ferrari is there forever. Or a long time, anyway,” Hill added.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc posted social media messages about ‘unity’ and backing the team a day after John Elkann’s comments. Thereon, reactions from analysts, former F1 drivers, and former team bosses like Guenther Steiner have been fueling the controversy.
Former F1 driver advises Ferrari on how to make Lewis Hamilton “unstoppable”
While Elkann didn’t single out a driver in his comments, it was reported that the criticism was directed towards Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time F1 champion has struggled severely in his first year with the Italian team, and holds the unwanted record of most races with Ferrari without a podium – 21.
He has felt at discomfort with the organization’s operations and also sent detailed documents back to the Maranello headquarters with suggestions for improvement. Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes Hamilton would be “unstoppable” if Ferrari reciprocates his energy.
In the aftermath of the Elkann controversy, Montoya said:
“I say, give Hamilton the right tools, and he’ll be right up there at the front. When everything comes together and his motivation is back, Hamilton is virtually unstoppable. He certainly won’t stop anytime soon. He doesn’t want his reputation to fade away because he missed his target. When you’re in a situation where you’re trying to give more to the team and you’re not getting the same energy back, it’s just frustrating. Ferrari isn’t listening to Hamilton.”
Possessing 362 points, the Scuderia dropped from second to fourth in the constructors’ championship after the Brazilian GP. Mercedes, with 396 points, appears to have secured second place with three race weekends remaining. Red Bull is in third with 366 points.
Edited by Yash Kotak
