Former Haas crew boss Gunter Steiner has criticized Ferrari president John Elkann for publicly criticizing drivers.
After a disastrous Sao Paulo Grand Prix the place Ferrari suffered two DNFs and dropped to fourth within the constructors’ championship, Elkann recommended Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc “must focus extra on driving and fewer speaking”.
The outstanding and eye-opening feedback got here after seven-time world champion Hamilton described his first season with Ferrari as a “nightmare”.
Hamilton and Leclerc then issued a defiant assertion calling for unity at Ferrari on the identical day Elkann addressed the media in Milan.
Steiner accused Elkann of publicly criticizing drivers and “not exhibiting good management.”
“On the finish of the day, he is allowed to criticize as a result of he is the boss, however I do not assume he ought to do it in public,” Steiner stated on the “Crimson Flags” podcast.
“With Lewis, you recognize…however a man named Charles, he places his coronary heart and soul into every thing. What extra would you like from Charles?”
“It is not good management to exit in public and say, ‘These guys are doing it proper, they’re nice mechanics, they’re nice engineers, however you are not adequate.’ And there is not any touch upon Fred.”
“I feel it is unusual, to say the least, for somebody at that stage of the corporate, the very best stage, to make a remark like that. He does not need to ask anybody to do it or not do it.”
“But when you do not have something to say, do not say something then. Clearly they received the sports activities automobile championship and congratulations on that, however you may’t evaluate the 2 championships.”
“We nonetheless must win and I respect them for successful it. It is very good, however on the finish of the day it is a stability of efficiency championship. F1 is a special kettle of fish.
“I am not disrespecting what they’ve received with sports activities automobiles, however I am saying, ‘Let’s have a look at what’s potential’…properly…why not let’s work collectively to make it occur?”
Elkann stated, “Look within the mirror.”
Steiner claimed that Elkann, who selected Hamilton over Carlos Sainz throughout the winter, had himself responsible if he was not glad with the driving force’s efficiency.
Hamilton received the Chinese language Grand Prix dash race however is but to complete on the rostrum for Ferrari, whereas Leclerc has seven podiums by 2025.
“And who selected the driving force? Typically you must look within the mirror. He actually agreed to rent Lewis, that is my understanding,” Steiner continued.
“I criticized this man, however I selected him. Possibly I did one thing flawed. Even when he made the flawed resolution, even when he feels that approach.
“I do not know what they (Hamilton and Leclerc) stated. I do not perceive.
“Possibly he bought somewhat emotional when he stated these phrases. They received the (WEC) championship they usually weren’t even within the factors. Each automobiles had been out in Brazil. Are you able to think about how disillusioned he was? Possibly he was somewhat offended.
