Jenson Button Urges Ferrari Chairman to “Talk, Not Criticise” After Public Rebuke of Drivers

Few teams in motorsport carry the weight of expectation quite like Ferrari. The scarlet cars are more than just Formula 1 machinery they’re a national symbol, a source of pride, and often, of pressure. That pressure boiled over this week when Ferrari chairman John Elkann publicly criticised his star drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, after a dismal outing at the São Paulo Grand Prix.

But not everyone agreed with Elkann’s approach. Former world champion Jenson Button believes the Ferrari boss should have handled the situation differently privately, not through the press.

Elkann’s Public Rebuke

Following a double retirement in Brazil, Elkann made headlines when he suggested that Hamilton and Leclerc needed to “talk less and focus on driving.” His comments came amid Ferrari’s ongoing struggles in 2025: the team has yet to win a race this season, and Hamilton, in his first year wearing red, is still chasing his first podium finish.

Ferrari narrowly missed out on last year’s Constructors’ Championship by just 14 points to McLaren, but this season has been one of frustration. With the Las Vegas Grand Prix on the horizon, all eyes are now on how Hamilton and Leclerc will respond to their chairman’s remarks during the upcoming media day.

Button’s Take: “Just Go and Talk to Them”

Speaking on Sky Sports F1’s The F1 Show, 2009 world champion Jenson Button offered a measured but pointed response to Elkann’s comments.

“Ferrari have always had a lot of pressure on them to perform,” Button said. “Every F1 team does, but especially Ferrari. You’ve got the whole of Italy wanting Ferrari to win races.”

He acknowledged the immense external and internal pressure that comes with representing the Scuderia, but suggested that Elkann’s choice to air frustrations publicly wasn’t the right move.

“John only has two cars in the red garage,” Button continued. “It’s very easy to find your racing driver and go and talk to him. Say, ‘You know what? That’s not cool. That’s not the way we do business. Let’s talk about why you feel the need to do that.’”

For Button, the solution lies in communication direct, respectful, and private.

“This is how it’s always been at Ferrari,” he added. “Communication is the best thing in anything, but especially in a team when you have thousands of people working to develop a car and two of the best drivers in the world. Just go and have a chat.”

A Team Under Pressure

Ferrari’s 2025 campaign has been one of unfulfilled promise. Despite flashes of speed, reliability issues and strategic missteps have cost them dearly. For Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this season in one of the most talked-about transfers in modern F1 history, the adjustment has been challenging. For Leclerc, it’s been another year of near-misses and mounting frustration.

Button’s comments reflect a broader truth about the Scuderia: the expectations are relentless, the scrutiny constant, and the margin for error razor-thin.

The Road to Vegas

As the team prepares for the glitz and spectacle of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the spotlight on Ferrari is brighter than ever. Both drivers are expected to face questions about Elkann’s remarks, and how the team plans to move forward from yet another setback.

For Button, the message is simple Ferrari’s success has always been built on unity, not division. And in a sport where communication can make or break a season, perhaps the most powerful move the team’s chairman can make isn’t a public statement, but a quiet conversation behind closed doors.

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Written by

James Rees

A passionate motorsport journalist from Wales, with over 30 years of love for the sport. A dedicated father of three, working as a content manager, covering the fast-paced world of Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula E, and IndyCar.

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