2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button has responded to Ferrari chairman John Elkann's strong message to the team's drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
The Brazilian Grand Prix was a weekend to forget for the Maranello outfit after it slipped from second to fourth in the constructors' standings. While Leclerc and Hamilton converted eighth and 11th-place starts in the sprint race to fifth and seventh-place finishes, Mercedes secured second and third with Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. As a result, the Brackley outfit took second from Ferrari in the standings.
Leclerc secured a P3 start for the grand prix with Hamilton back in P13, but a collision with Antonelli as a result of contact with Oscar Piastri ended the Monegasque driver's day, and the seven-time champion retired due to damage picked up from early contact with Carlos Sainz and Franco Colapinto, leaving the team with a double DNF.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen's commanding drive from the pitlane to the podium in P3 meant Ferrari was overtaken again by the Milton Keynes outfit.
Jenson Button on Ferrari’s John Elkann calling out his drivers 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/B1yR609nFE
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"Brazil was a big disappointment," Elkann told Sky Sports Italy. "Looking at the Formula 1 championship, we can say that we have our mechanics, who are basically winning the championship with their performance and everything that has been done on the pitstops. Our engineers have undoubtedly improved the car. But when it comes to the rest, it is still not up to par.
"And surely we have drivers who need to focus on driving and talk less. We still have important races ahead of us, and it is not impossible to achieve second place [in the constructors]. This is the most important message, because Bahrain itself is the demonstration that, when everyone at Ferrari work together, we win."
Button was one of many to react to Elkann's remarks. "Maybe John should lead by example," the Briton wrote.
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