Ferrari boss says Hamilton and Leclerc need to 'focus on driving and talk less'

MILAN (AP) — Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc need to “focus on driving and talk less,” Ferrari executive chairman John Elkann warned Monday after the drivers failed to finish the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The results dropped Ferrari down to fourth in the Formula 1 constructors’ standings and left Hamilton and Leclerc still winless this season.

Hamilton, who has been critical of his team all season, called the weekend “a nightmare.”

Leclerc said he was “not happy” and called his car “very slow” after struggling in sprint qualifying.

Hamilton had to retire midrace due to damage to his car, while Leclerc also went out with damage after getting caught up in a collision between Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli.

Elkann addressed Ferrari’s troubles on the sidelines of a sponsorship announcement between Stellantis and the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

“Brazil was a big disappointment but if we look at the season we can say that our mechanics are actually winning the championship with the performances that they’ve made in terms of pole positions and pit stops,” Elkann said. “There’s no doubt that the car has improved.

“If we look at everything else, it’s not up to standards. It’s important that our drivers focus on driving and talk less.”

Later Monday, Hamilton posted on Instagram about the Brazilian GP: “It wasn’t the race we wanted. It’s gutting, especially after some good progress, but we will move on. I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever.”

Ferrari will go winless this season if neither Hamilton nor Leclerc see the checkered flag at the last three races in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

“We have some big races remaining and it’s not impossible to finish second,” Elkann said, referring to the constructor’s standings, where it’s a tight race between Mercedes (398 points), Red Bull (366) and Ferrari (362).

McLaren is far ahead in first with 756 points.

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco prepares for a practice session for the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix auto race at Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Friday,Nov. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini)

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco, arrives at the Interlagos race track ahead of the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini)

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, arrives at the Interlagos race track ahead of the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini)

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco loses a tyre during the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track, in Sao Paulo, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Columbus Blue Jackets fired coach Dean Evason and named hockey-lifer Rick Bowness as his replacement on Monday.

Evason is the first NHL coach fired this season. General manager Don Waddell announced the abrupt change with his team sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference 45 games into the season with a record of 19-19-7.

“This season has been a frustrating one for all of us and the bottom line is we are not performing at a level that meets our expectations," Waddell said. "We all share in that responsibility, me included, and while this was not a decision that was made lightly, it is one that needed to be made at this time. Dean did a tremendous job last year under extremely difficult circumstances, and I thank him for that."

Assistant Steve McCarthy, who had been with the organization for nearly a decade, was also fired.

Bowness is back in the league after he retired in the spring of 2024, ending a stint with the Winnipeg Jets. Bowness, who coached Dallas to the Stanley Cup Final in the 2020 pandemic bubble, turns 71 on Jan. 25.

“Rick Bowness is a tremendous coach with invaluable experience and knowledge, and he will bring a steadiness to our team at an important juncture in our season,” Waddell said. “He is a good communicator whose teams play with structure, are sound defensively and we believe he is the right person to bring out the best in our group.”

Bowness during his lengthy career has been head coach for seven different teams, dating to the original Jets in 1988. He did some broadcasting with TNT since stepping away from his most recent job in Winnipeg.

Evason was just past the midway point of his second season in charge of the Blue Jackets. Waddell’s first order of business upon becoming GM was to fire then-coach Pascal Vincent and put Evason behind the bench.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

FILE - Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness yells during the first period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Columbus Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason watches his team during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)