Jacques Villeneuve claims Ferrari crushes “drivers with personality” after John Elkann’s shocking comments

**Ferrari Chairman John Elkann’s Comments Spark Backlash Across F1 Paddock**

Ferrari chairman John Elkann’s remarks following the Brazilian Grand Prix continue to provoke strong reactions across the Formula 1 paddock. Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve has now joined a growing chorus of criticism, warning that the Scuderia’s leadership risks damaging its relationship with its drivers.

Elkann’s claim that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc “need to focus on driving and talk less” came at a tense moment for the team. After suffering its second double retirement of the season at Interlagos and slipping to fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, the team was under considerable pressure. The backlash to Elkann’s comments was swift.

Speaking to BetVictor, Villeneuve gave a blunt response: “I didn’t see comments that were detrimental to the team coming from the drivers. Net. But this came just after winning the WEC. I guess he was pinpointing how amazing the team in WEC did, compared to F1. But it’s a different ball game.”

Villeneuve added, “It was a bit shocking, but it seems to be the Ferrari way when you look at the past. Most drivers have broken their teeth there, most drivers with personality. It’s a strange environment.”

### A Familiar Trend at Ferrari

The trend Villeneuve describes is a familiar one. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel joined Ferrari in 2015 and finished as runner-up in 2017 and 2018, but ultimately left the team without delivering a title after several seasons marked by tension. Fernando Alonso had two near-misses in 2012 and 2013 before his relationship with the team deteriorated as well.

Even Lewis Hamilton—who arrived with high expectations of becoming Ferrari’s next title contender—has struggled to find consistent form. Ferrari has not won a Drivers’ Championship since Kimi Räikkönen clinched the crown in 2007.

The criticism of Elkann’s approach is not limited to Villeneuve. Jenson Button remarked that the chairman should “lead by example,” while former Minardi boss Giancarlo Minardi argued Elkann’s tone was unlike that of “a good family man.”

### Villeneuve Rejects Driver Criticism After Brazil

Villeneuve also pushed back on the notion that the Brazilian Grand Prix exposed shortcomings among Ferrari’s drivers. “Brazil just turned out bad, not because there was a lack of pace or because the drivers were doing bad,” he said. “I think that came out a little bit of left field, purely linked to winning the WEC.”

Ferrari’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) program celebrated a major victory in Bahrain the same weekend, highlighting a stark contrast with the struggles of the F1 team. Villeneuve suggested this difference may have fueled Elkann’s frustration.

At Interlagos, Hamilton’s race ended early after contact with Carlos Sainz caused heavy floor damage, forcing him to retire on Lap 37. Leclerc’s day was even shorter; fighting for second place into Turn 1, he was hit by Kimi Antonelli, with the resulting broken front-left suspension forcing an early retirement at Turn 4.

The double retirement dropped Ferrari behind Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship and left the team only four points ahead of Red Bull, with just three rounds remaining in the season.

### Villeneuve Urges Ferrari to Learn from Past Mistakes

Ferrari’s difficult season as a whole only reinforces Villeneuve’s concerns. The team has yet to win a race this year, Hamilton has not reached the podium, and Ferrari’s third place in the Constructors’ Championship is under serious threat from Red Bull and Max Verstappen.

For Villeneuve, Elkann’s public criticism echoes past moments when Scuderia leadership clashed with its star drivers. “You also take drivers that can think, who can help move the team forward. They’re not little robots,” he said. “It’s part of sports. You have emotions, and they go both ways. I’m sure that’s what happened with the chairman as well. But I don’t see how those comments can be helpful.”

He warned that internal tensions can escalate quickly at Maranello. “We’ve seen what happened with Prost, Mansell, almost every driver with a personality that has been in Ferrari. It’s a slippery road. Hopefully that’s where it stops.”

Villeneuve believes the team’s energy is fragile after years without a title, coupled with heightened expectations following Hamilton’s arrival. When these pressures spill into the public eye, he cautioned, the situation “can get out of control” and create deeper fractures between the team and its drivers.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-jacques-villeneuve-claims-ferrari-crushes-drivers-personality-john-elkann-s-shocking-comments

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