The Formula 1 world is abuzz following Ferrari Chairman John Elkann's pointed criticism of drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after a disappointing Brazilian Grand Prix. The comments, suggesting the drivers "focus on driving and talk less," have been met with a swift response, most notably from former F1 World Champion Jenson Button.

Button, a Sky Sports F1 pundit, issued a concise yet potent retort to Elkann's remarks, commenting on Sky Sports F1's Instagram post: "Maybe John should lead by example". Button's comment quickly gained traction, resonating with fans who viewed Elkann's public criticism as unprofessional and indicative of a problematic team culture.

Elkann's criticism came after a difficult weekend for Ferrari in São Paulo, where both Hamilton and Leclerc experienced DNFs (Did Not Finish). Leclerc's race ended early due to a collision between Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli, while Hamilton sustained damage following contact with Carlos Sainz and later with Franco Colapinto, ultimately leading to his retirement. The double DNF was the second for Ferrari this season.

The Ferrari chairman's comments, made at an Olympics sponsorship event in Rome, also praised the mechanics and engineers but stated that "the rest" was not up to standard. He emphasized the importance of unity, referencing Ferrari's World Endurance Championship title win in Bahrain as an example of what the team can achieve when working together.

In response to Elkann's criticism, both Hamilton and Leclerc took to social media to issue messages emphasizing unity and determination. Hamilton affirmed his support for the team, stating, "I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever," while Leclerc highlighted the need for unity to improve Ferrari's situation in the remaining races. "It's uphill from now, and it's clear that only unity can help us turn that situation around in the last 3 races," Leclerc stated.

The remarks from Elkann have sparked debate within the Formula 1 community, with many questioning the timing and reasoning behind his public criticism. Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz questioned whether Elkann's comments were "a spark or a slap," suggesting they might be aimed at focusing the team on securing second place in the Constructors' Championship.

Some observers believe that the drivers have been instrumental in Ferrari's points tally this season and that the car itself has inherent flaws that the team has struggled to address. Others suggest that Elkann's comments reflect Ferrari's frustration with their continued lack of success in Formula 1, with the team not having won a driver's championship since 2007 or a constructor's championship since 2008.

Bernie Collins, a Sky Sports F1 analyst, noted that while F1 drivers are inherently "selfish" in their pursuit of individual success, Hamilton and Leclerc are ultimately aligned in their desire to improve Ferrari's performance.

Despite the internal tensions, both drivers have expressed their commitment to the team. Hamilton, despite describing his season as a "nightmare", has remained relatively tight-lipped about his frustrations with the car's development.

The pressure is now on Ferrari to address the issues within the team and improve their performance in the final races of the season. The team is currently battling for second place in the Constructors' Championship, and a strong finish to the year would be a welcome boost after a tumultuous period. The upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix will be a crucial test of Ferrari's ability to overcome internal strife and deliver on the track.