The controversy erupted after the dramatic Brazilian Grand Prix, where both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, retired from the race. Following the event, Ferrari president John Elkann publicly told his drivers to “talk less and concentrate more on driving.”

The remark divided opinion: some saw it as a firm call to focus, while others viewed it as poorly timed and potentially counterproductive.

Among the critics was Luigi Mazzola, a former Ferrari engineer from the Schumacher era, who said during a recent interview, that Elkann’s comments went beyond a simple sporting critique.

Mazzola described them as a calculated, politically charged move, arguing that internal issues should be resolved privately rather than through the media. He said:

“Elkann has as much experience in Formula 1 as I have in economics, which is to say virtually none.”

“When you express yourself like this in the media, you’re not just analysing a sporting situation: you’re targeting someone, preparing the ground for what’s to come.”

He also noted that the statement came at a particularly inopportune time, just after Ferrari’s double triumph in endurance racing, a moment when the team’s image could have been reinforced rather than questioned.

Mazzola further compared Elkann unfavourably to former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, suggesting Elkann lacks the symbolic authority and credibility to inspire or unify the team.

The remarks are especially significant as Ferrari prepares for the 2026 season, which brings major technical regulation changes.

With both sporting and symbolic stakes high, Mazzola warns that public criticism risks distracting the team and undermining cohesion at a critical moment.