Ralf Schumacher does not understand John Elkann’s criticism of Charles Leclerc and advises the Ferrari driver to start looking for possible alternatives
Ralf Schumacher has no sympathy for the public criticism that John Elkann recently directed at Charles Leclerc. The Ferrari president told Sky that the Scuderia had drivers “who should concentrate more on driving and talk less.”
“If I were Charles Leclerc, I would ask what that was all about,” Schumacher told Sky, because: “I think Leclerc is doing a great job and getting the best out of the team and himself. He’s also a likeable guy who fits in perfectly at Ferrari.”
Schumacher therefore emphasizes: “I would send my manager over and ask what that’s all about. In a situation like that, I always worked out a plan B with my manager, and that’s what I would do in his place now, because I wouldn’t let anyone walk all over me.”
Leclerc is currently in fifth place in the drivers’ championship and has already been on the podium seven times this season. His new teammate Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, is still waiting for his first podium finish with Scuderia. Schumacher therefore cannot understand why Elkann included Leclerc in his criticism. “The way he said it, completely without emotion, was deliberately chosen and also very serious,” said the expert.
“We all know John Elkann, that wasn’t flippant at all, there’s real tension under the surface,” believes the six-time Grand Prix winner, explaining: “Expectations are high and, logically, he has also made some decisions, such as signing Lewis Hamilton, which are now putting him under internal pressure.”
“Lewis Hamilton is simply not good enough. I think Ferrari expected more, John Elkann expected more,” said Schumacher. However, the expert cannot understand the criticism of Leclerc.
His advice to the Monegasque driver is clear: if he feels that Ferrari no longer wants him, he should start looking for a new employer as soon as possible.
