WHY JOHN ELKANN’S MESSAGE COULD UNLOCK A STRONGER, UNSTOPPABLE LEWIS HAMILTON
Ferrari had endured a painful double DNF at Interlagos, an outcome no one in red expected or wanted. But the drama that followed became even louder than the race itself. Elkann told both drivers to “focus on driving, talk less,” a brutally short directive that echoed around the world.
As an F1 fan who has followed Lewis through every triumph, heartbreak, and historic victory, those words hit hard. Because while Ferrari is a team built on passion and pressure, telling a seven-time World Champion to “talk less” is bold — maybe too bold. Yet buried inside Elkann’s message is something deeper: impatience, frustration, and a desperate desire to return Ferrari to winning ways.
And according to F1 legend Juan Pablo Montoya, the situation might be far simpler: if Ferrari truly gets behind Lewis — really behind him — then the sport could witness something terrifying for their rivals.
An unstoppable Lewis.
Ferrari’s First Year With Lewis: A Tough Reality
This was not the season Lewis imagined when he stepped into Ferrari red for the first time. Fans dreamed of a revival, a rebirth, a return to glory. Many hoped to see Lewis on podiums instantly, maybe even snatching that long-awaited eighth World Championship.
Instead, Lewis now faces the possibility of finishing a season without a single podium — something that has never happened in his entire Formula 1 career. That stat alone shows how tough this transition has been.
He also trails teammate Leclerc in the standings by 66 points, a gap that gives plenty of ammunition to critics and armchair experts. But numbers rarely tell the full story. Anyone who has watched Lewis knows he has wrestled a difficult car, pushed through unpredictable setups, and fought every lap like the champion he is.
Still, Ferrari is Ferrari. Expectations don’t sleep. A double DNF at Interlagos opened the door for Elkann’s now-infamous statement — a statement some insiders claim was meant to “motivate,” though it landed more like a slap.
Elkann’s Blunt Assessment And The Message Behind It
Fresh off Ferrari winning a World Endurance Championship title double, Elkann took aim at the F1 side of the operation. His words were sharp:
“In Formula 1, we have mechanics who are always first in performing pit stops. The engineers work to improve the car. The rest is not up to par.”
And then came the line that lit up the paddock:
“We have drivers who need to focus on driving, talk less.”
It was impossible not to notice who those words were aimed at: Lewis and Leclerc.
The message was clear: Ferrari needs less noise, fewer distractions, and more execution. But to fans, especially fans of Lewis, the comments felt unfair. Lewis has been nothing but respectful, supportive, and constructive since joining Ferrari. He hasn’t publicly criticized the team. He hasn’t blamed the car. He hasn’t thrown anyone under the bus.
In fact, he’s been the calmest voice in Maranello this season. So why aim the fire at him?
Because Ferrari is feeling the pressure — the pressure of expectations, history, and the ticking clock toward the 2026 regulation overhaul. Elkann’s comments reflect desperation for unity, performance, and direction. But according to Juan Pablo Montoya, the answer isn’t to silence Lewis. It’s to embrace him.
Montoya’s Warning: Back Lewis Or Get Left Behind
Juan Pablo Montoya, a driver who never feared speaking his mind, understands championship mentality better than most. And in his view, Ferrari is sitting on a goldmine — but only if they fully leverage the greatest asset they have: Lewis.
Montoya believes Lewis is still absolutely capable of fighting for titles, but he needs a team that matches his energy and effort.
“I think Lewis has a point to prove,” Montoya said. “He won’t lie down and submit to defeat. He will win the championship or die trying.”
Those words carry weight. Because Lewis has always been at his most dangerous when he feels underestimated or doubted. His entire career has been built on proving people wrong. But Montoya added something even more important:
“Hamilton’s frustration is due to him thinking he’s doing more than what Ferrari are doing for him.”
That is a huge statement. It suggests Lewis feels he is pushing as hard as ever — grinding behind the scenes, giving every ounce of effort — but the team isn’t matching that intensity.
Montoya didn’t sugarcoat it:
“Give Hamilton the right tools and he’ll be there competing at the top.”
He went even further:
“When things click and the motivation to compete is back, oh my god, Hamilton will be unstoppable.”
As a fan, you can almost hear the truth in those words. We’ve seen the unstoppable Lewis before — the one who dominated seasons, caught rivals sleeping, and pulled off miracles. He’s still in there. But Ferrari must unlock him.
Why Ferrari Must Listen To Lewis
Montoya also emphasized something that many top drivers have said over the years: teams become stronger when they listen to their champions.
“The faster Ferrari’s engineers listen to Hamilton on how to make the car better, the better it will be for the team.”
Drivers like Lewis have an unmatched feel for the car. They understand how small changes affect performance. They know when something is wrong even before the data confirms it. When a team truly listens, development accelerates.
Mercedes won multiple championships that way. Red Bull thrives on the same principle with Verstappen. Ferrari must do the same with Lewis. Not silence him.
The Cultural Challenge At Ferrari
Ferrari is not a normal team. It is a phenomenon. A symbol. A global icon. But it is also a high-pressure cooker with its own internal politics, heavy expectations, and a tendency for leadership to speak publicly — sometimes too publicly. Elkann’s comments remind us that Ferrari’s biggest strength (its passion) can also be its biggest weakness when that passion becomes frustration.
Lewis is new to this environment. After more than a decade at Mercedes, a team famous for calm leadership and stability, Ferrari is a completely different culture. He is navigating the change with maturity and patience — more patience, frankly, than many of us expected.
But hearing public criticism from the top can sting. And that sting can affect motivation unless Ferrari counterbalances it with genuine support behind the scenes. Because Lewis doesn’t need lectures. He needs unity. He needs direction. He needs a team fighting as hard as he is.
Lewis Responds: Calm, Strong, Focused
While the media went wild after Elkann’s statement, Lewis didn’t fire back, complain, or point fingers. He simply posted:
“I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever.”
That is classic Lewis — fierce, resilient, determined. He doesn’t play the blame game. He doesn’t crumble under pressure. He turns criticism into fuel. And that’s why Montoya’s words resonate so strongly.
Lewis doesn’t need the perfect car to show greatness. He needs opportunity. He needs tools. He needs a team that believes in him. If Ferrari gives him that, everything changes.
Why 2026 Is The Real Battleground
The 2026 regulations are coming fast, and the next generation of cars will reset the hierarchy. For Lewis, this is the window — the moment he came to Ferrari for. He didn’t join the team for short-term success. He joined for a long-term mission: to help build a new era for the Scuderia.
This season has been rough, but it doesn’t define the future. What matters now is what Ferrari does next: Do they listen to Lewis? Do they trust his feedback? Do they channel his experience into the 2026 project? Do they build around him and Leclerc as equal pillars?
If the answer is yes, then Montoya may be right. Lewis could become unstoppable again.
The Path Forward For Ferrari And Lewis
Ferrari is at a crossroads. Elkann’s comments can either unify the team or create deeper cracks. But the solution isn’t silencing the drivers. It’s empowering them. Lewis has shown nothing but commitment. Leclerc has taken the high road every time. Both drivers want the same thing Ferrari wants: to win.
So the question becomes:
Will Ferrari choose collaboration over criticism?
Will they give Lewis the tools he needs?
Will they silence noise inside Maranello instead of suppressing the voices that matter most?
Because if they get this right — even partially right — Lewis could unleash something spectacular.
A Champion Still Burning Inside
Lewis didn’t come to Ferrari to fade away. His hunger is still visible in every interview, every social post, every radio message. He still trains like a champion. He still speaks like a champion. He still carries himself like someone who believes the best is yet to come.
Montoya sees it. Fans see it. Rivals feel it.
If Ferrari steps up to match Lewis’ energy, belief, and effort, then the narrative of this season could become the foundation for something incredible. Because an unstoppable Lewis isn’t just a possibility — it’s a warning. And Formula 1 knows exactly what he’s capable of when everything finally clicks.
P/S : Shut the fuck up John!
If you enjoyed this post, please do share it with your network so more people can enjoy it as well. Also, check out my Lewis Hamilton inspired designs at my online shop here - https://www.redbubble.com/people/akhnsx/explore
Comments