Lewis Hamilton has firmly dismissed suggestions that he should work harder to improve Ferrari’s performance, responding to remarks from team president John Elkann, who urged the driver to “focus on driving and talk less.” Hamilton emphasized that the team’s challenges cannot be resolved overnight.
Speaking ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Hamilton acknowledged his relationship with Elkann remains positive but pushed back against the idea that he isn’t fully committed. “I’m constantly thinking about how to improve our performance—when I wake up, throughout the day, even in my sleep,” he stated. “If anything, I need to find ways to switch off more. This has been the busiest year of my career, and I’ve spent more time at the factory than ever before.”
Hamilton, who joined Ferrari at the start of the season, has yet to secure a podium finish and described the year as extremely demanding. “I knew coming into this team that turning things around would take time,” he explained. “Ferrari is a massive organization with countless moving parts. You can’t just snap your fingers and fix everything. We’re pushing as hard as we can, but progress takes real time.”
The British driver currently sits sixth in the drivers’ standings, trailing his teammate Charles Leclerc by 66 points. Leclerc also commented on Elkann’s feedback, noting that the president’s remarks stemmed from a strong desire to win rather than outright criticism. Ferrari is fourth in the constructors’ championship with two races remaining.
As the Formula 1 calendar moves to Las Vegas, expectations for a major turnaround remain low. Cold temperatures and a slippery street circuit are likely to pose challenges for all teams. Hamilton compared the season to climbing a mountain, only to slip back repeatedly. “It’s tough when you make progress during the week, then come to a race weekend and lose ground. But we keep getting back up and trying again.”
Meanwhile, Lando Norris leads the world championship by 24 points over McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. A strong result in Las Vegas would put Norris in a commanding position heading into the final rounds of the season.
