Gunther Steiner has issued a clear warning to Scuderia Ferrari: if Lewis Hamilton does not manage to return to being competitive when the new 2026 regulations come into play, the risk for the Maranello team could be catastrophic, potentially marking the beginning of the end. According to the former Haas Formula 1 team principal, the seven-time world champion must find a way to recover his confidence and adapt to the technical revolution that awaits the sport in less than two seasons.
Steiner’s words leave no room for misinterpretation. He underlined that if the British driver cannot get back on his feet, his adventure in Formula 1 might come to an unexpected and premature conclusion.
Ferrari: from a dream to a heavy burden
When Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was officially announced, the news was celebrated all over the world. After spending twelve years with Mercedes, where he had become one of the most dominant figures in modern Formula 1, his decision to join the Scuderia in Maranello was perceived as the perfect final chapter of his career. It was the story of a legendary champion seeking to achieve glory behind the wheel of the Prancing Horse, a dream many thought could revive Ferrari’s fight for titles.
However, reality has been much harsher. Despite achieving a sprint race victory in China, Hamilton has not yet managed to secure a podium in a full Grand Prix. The best result he has achieved so far has been fourth place, a statistic that weighs heavily given his reputation. Moreover, his own comments have reflected growing frustration. In Hungary, for instance, the British champion openly described himself as “useless,” a declaration that generated heated debates among fans and observers.
Steiner, analyzing the situation, responded to those words with clarity: “He is not useless, but he is not delivering what was expected. He is dissatisfied with himself, and maybe the expectations were simply too high.” His remarks underline the gap between the dream of Hamilton at Ferrari and the current reality on track.
The comparison with Charles Leclerc only makes things more difficult. The Monegasque driver has been proving himself increasingly consistent and incisive, extracting strong performances from the car and steadily applying pressure on Hamilton. This internal challenge within Ferrari has intensified doubts about the true competitiveness of the British star in red.
All of this, however, could become secondary when Formula 1 enters a new era in 2026. The decisive point, in Steiner’s opinion, will be the complete regulatory overhaul that is on its way. With new cars, new power units, and a fresh technical framework, every driver and every team will have to face an uncertain landscape. For Lewis Hamilton, it could be the ultimate chance to prove he can adapt once more and remain at the top of the sport.
Steiner expressed it bluntly: “Lewis has had difficulties with the new ground-effect cars right from the beginning, and in 2026 there will be brand-new cars, new engines, and nobody knows who will be the strongest. If even next year things will not work, then it will really be over. It would not happen overnight, though: if he wanted to retire, he would communicate it in advance, so that the team could have time to find a proper replacement.”
With the 2026 regulations approaching, Steiner therefore outlines a clear crossroads. Either Lewis Hamilton finds the strength to adapt to the new Formula 1 era and rediscover the performances that once made him unbeatable, or it could truly be “game over” for the English legend in Ferrari red.
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