Herbert: It is John Elkann who should shut up

Herbert insisted that the Ferrari chairman’s comments were crazy and revealed a leadership culture under Elkann's watch that is failing to give the drivers what they need.

Echoing Jacques Vuilleneuve's take on the Ferrari boss's comments, Herbert took them a step further: “In many respects, it is John Elkann who should shut up. His comments were crazy. It is the driver’s job to criticise. They have to do the best job they can with the equipment that is underneath them. They have not got the best equipment underneath them at the moment.”

He added that it is the duty of the drivers to say the car is not good enough, even if that creates what he called horrible vibrations through the foundations of Ferrari.

Hamilton’s difficult year has intensified scrutiny on the team’s technical direction. Herbert said it has been a slow and painful watch and argued that Leclerc is the one consistently maximising the package. “For John to criticise Charles is harsh.

"Charles has really stepped up and he has given Ferrari results that probably we thought were not feasible. He has got himself on the podium a couple of times this year,” he said. “It is Lewis who has been the one struggling. It is not the drivers who should be silenced. Ferrari are not creating what the drivers need.”

The Le Mans and Grand Prix winner turned pundit believes Ferrari’s failures to listen to Hamilton stem from weaknesses in the leadership structure. He argued that Ferrari need to change their culture and recognise how valuable Hamilton’s experience is: “Look back at Michael Schumacher’s time at Ferrari.

"He had a massive reputation within the team and they trusted him totally. By trusting this man, we believe what he says, and we are able to try and implement some of the things that he highlights.”

Herbert pointed out that both drivers have been open about their frustrations and that Ferrari must recognise this feedback as central to progress. Herbert said: “Ferrari do not have the right infrastructure. They have got to listen. That is down to Fred Vasseur. His job is to put in place the right people to be able to produce the goods. It is still a very frustrating place to be for everybody.”

Herbert stressed that the human reactions of the drivers remain vital inputs. “There are only two people who you can get that feedback from. Your two drivers." Adding that Ferrari’s failure to capitalise on that feedback, has prolonged their stagnation.

Herbert believes Ferrari must aggressively pursue the best people in the sport if they are to climb back to the top. He said the failed attempt to sign Adrian Newey highlighted the difficulty of recruiting elite talent to Italy at a time when competition from other teams, including new arrivals like Cadillac, is only increasing.

“Fred still has not been able to get the proper core people who can produce the car they need,” Herbert said. “Ferrari have got to get people believing that this is the place to come, and that has not quite happened.”

Asked about Christian Horner, Herbert said the former Red Bull boss could replicate the powerful culture he built in Milton Keynes if he ever moved to Maranello. “Whatever you think of Christian, he achieved a massive amount at Red Bull and built a very successful team.

"He was very good at giving people like Adrian Newey the freedom to breathe and produce the cars he has done. Even though he has left, the environment is still very powerful today, and he could possibly create that at Ferrari," ventured the 61-year-old motorsport veteran

Herbert also urged Ferrari to keep Ollie Bearman firmly in their long-term plans. He said the young Briton’s performances have pushed him to another level and shown a degree of mental strength that teams should value early.

“I think Ollie should be on Ferrari’s radar. Teams have to be ahead of the game,” he said. “You have seen how he has performed when he has had his opportunities. He has really stepped it up.”

Herbert believes Bearman is the perfect future candidate for a Ferrari seat. “He is showing the ability to get the car in all conditions. It would be the perfect scenario for him to have that chance. I think he is the future,” he said.

Ferrari return to action needing results and stability as the title fight intensifies, with the next races offering a clear test of whether the team can rebuild confidence around Hamilton, Leclerc and their long-term direction.

Johnny Herbert was speaking to Prime Casino, who offer online casino game 24 Hour Grand Prix Jackpot.