Carlos Sainz References Kermit the Frog on John Elkann's 'Not Up to Par' Ferrari Comments

Ferrari president John Elkann has implicitly criticized certain individuals within Ferrari, stating they are "not up to par." Former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, now with Williams, chose not to directly address the controversial remarks, instead deflecting with a reference to the popular 'Kermit the Frog sipping tea' meme.

Why it matters:

Ferrari, a team with championship aspirations for 2024, has surprisingly failed to secure a single Grand Prix win this season. This performance shortfall, coupled with only seven podium finishes across 42 starts by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, has prompted a rare public rebuke from the highest levels of the Scuderia. Elkann's comments suggest internal dissatisfaction with various aspects of the team's operation beyond the pit crew and engineers, potentially hinting at deeper organizational issues and increasing pressure on both drivers and management.

The Details:

• Elkann's Critique: Ferrari president John Elkann explicitly stated, "In Formula 1, we have mechanics who are always first in performing pit stops. The engineers work to improve the car. The rest is not up to par." He further added, "We need drivers who think more about Ferrari and less about themselves," implying a need for increased focus and team-centric behavior from the drivers.
• Sainz's Response: When asked about Elkann's comments and the intense pressure of being a Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz responded, "How do you say and that Ted? That is none of my business. You know the frog that has the tea? (Kermit) That is none of my business."
• The Kermit Meme: Sainz was referring to the 'Kermit the Frog sipping tea' meme, which originated from a Lipton Team advert. The meme is typically used to comment on drama or hypocrisy while maintaining a detached, 'none of my business' attitude.
• Ferrari's Current State: Despite expectations of challenging for titles in 2024, Ferrari has yet to win a race and has struggled for consistent podium finishes. This performance dip is what appears to have prompted Elkann's strong remarks.

The Big Picture:

Elkann's 'not up to par' statement, coming from the top of Ferrari's leadership, underscores a period of significant internal scrutiny for the team. While the pit crew and engineers were praised, the broad criticism leaves many speculating about who exactly is being targeted. This situation highlights the immense pressure at Ferrari, where performance expectations are always sky-high. Sainz's lighthearted yet pointed deflection using a popular meme perfectly captures the complex dynamic of a former driver navigating sensitive team politics from the outside.

What's next:

Ferrari faces critical upcoming races, with Elkann noting, "it is not impossible to finish second" in the championship, implying a renewed push for performance. The veiled criticism from the president is likely to amplify the pressure on the entire Maranello operation to deliver results. For Sainz, now with Williams, his focus will be entirely on his new team, a refreshing change from the intense internal politics he experienced at Ferrari.