Leclerc Calls for Unity as Hamilton Vows He Will Not Give Up After Ferrari Criticism

Charles Leclerc said that “only unity” can rescue Ferrari’s season, while Lewis Hamilton insisted he “will not give up” after team president John Elkann told both drivers to “focus on their driving and talk less” following a troubled weekend in São Paulo.

Ferrari has dropped from second to fourth in the constructors’ standings while Hamilton and Leclerc sit sixth and fifth in the drivers’ championship. The team scored almost nothing at Interlagos, a blow at a critical point in the tight fight for second place.

Leclerc retired on lap six after being hit in an incident that stewards ruled he did not cause. In his post-race message on Instagram, he reflected on the strain the setback has placed on Ferrari.

“Disappointing to come back home with nearly no points at all for the team in what is a critical moment of the season to fight for the 2nd place in the constructors championship,” Leclerc wrote.

“It is uphill from now and it is clear that only unity can help us turn that situation around in the last 3 races. We will give it all, as always.”

Hamilton also failed to finish. He made contact with Carlos Sainz’s Williams and then Alpine’s Franco Colapinto before Ferrari retired his car on lap 40. He later received a five point penalty for his failed attempt to pass Colapinto.

The seven-time world champion also used Instagram to address the result and the wider criticism surrounding the team.

“In the end, it was not the race we wanted,” Hamilton said. “It is gutting, especially after some good progress, but we will move on.

“I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever.”

Ferrari now heads to Las Vegas under pressure to stabilise their season and reclaim ground in both championships.