Eddie Jordan didn’t hold back as he tore into Ferrari for their latest strategic misstep during the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, a debacle that left Carlos Sainz at risk and triggered an on-air meltdown from Charles Leclerc. The Irishman labeled the pitstop chaos and overall team performance as “shambolic” and warned that Ferrari’s repeated failures could derail their constructors’ title ambitions.
The Vegas Controversy
The Ferrari duo salvaged a P3 and P4 finish, but the result was overshadowed by a botched strategy that left both drivers frustrated. The flashpoint came when Ferrari called Sainz to pit, only to reverse the decision mid-execution. With the Spaniard already across the white line and into the pit lane, he was abruptly ordered to stay out, leaving him in a precarious position.
Jordan was scathing in his assessment:
“The guy’s in the pit lane. He’s over the white f**king line. And they say, stay out, we’re not ready for you. I mean, what kind of crap is that?”
Jordan: Ferrari’s History of Errors
Jordan criticized Ferrari’s long-standing tendency to implode under pressure, drawing parallels to past failures:
“Right from our day, Ferrari has consistently screwed up. They screw up with the wrong tires, they screw up with this. It’s just shambolic from time to time. And we think it’s going to improve, but it doesn’t.”
The former team boss even suggested that Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari’s ex-president, was the last leader who could keep the team in check. In his eyes, the current leadership has struggled to instill the discipline needed to avoid such costly errors.
Leclerc’s Explosive Reaction
While Sainz stayed composed, Leclerc didn’t hold back. Furious over the strategic blunders that jeopardized his race, he unleashed a string of expletives over the team radio, making it clear he wouldn’t tolerate being the “nice guy” anymore.
“Being nice fks me over all the fking time,” Leclerc vented, a rare public display of frustration from the usually reserved Monegasque.
Even Jordan, known for his blunt commentary, was taken aback:
“I never thought I would ever hear that kind of stuff from Leclerc during a race.”
A Crucial Moment for Ferrari
With just two races remaining, Ferrari remains in contention for their first Constructors’ Championship since 2008. However, they trail McLaren by 24 points, and incidents like the one in Las Vegas only compound the challenge.
Leclerc highlighted the stakes in a post-race interview:
“This isn’t just about me or Carlos. It’s about the team. If we don’t fix these issues, we’re handing the title to McLaren.”
Jordan’s Verdict: Change Needed
Jordan’s message to Ferrari was blunt: fix the systemic issues or risk being perpetually outclassed.
“This isn’t just about one bad call. It’s about creating an environment where this kind of chaos isn’t even possible. Until Ferrari does that, they’ll always be their own worst enemy.”
The Road Ahead
As Ferrari prepares for the Qatar Grand Prix, the team must address its strategic pitfalls to keep their championship hopes alive. With McLaren in strong form and Ferrari’s drivers visibly frustrated, the pressure is on the Maranello outfit to deliver error-free weekends in the final stretch.
For Leclerc and Sainz, cooperation is critical—but whether Ferrari can avoid shooting themselves in the foot remains to be seen.