Guenther Steiner has compared MotoGP star Marc Marquez with Lewis Hamilton, identifying similarities in their speed, ability to position themselves for success, attention to public image and remarkable winning records. The former Haas Formula 1 team principal, who is now the owner of KTM Tech3 in MotoGP, offered his assessment when asked which F1 driver most closely resembles the Spanish rider.
Formula 1 and MotoGP are very different championships, with the highest levels of four-wheel and two-wheel motorsport sharing relatively little in sporting or technical terms. Nevertheless, the South Tyrolean manager found several connections between two of the most successful competitors of their respective generations.
Guenther Steiner compares Marc Marquez with Lewis Hamilton
During an interview with MotoSprint, Guenther Steiner was asked an unusual question: among the many Formula 1 drivers, who could be considered most similar to Marc Marquez?
“It is difficult to say because I have never even thought about it,” Guenther Steiner replied. “What I can say, however, is that Marc reminds me a little of Hamilton. They are certainly very different, but Marquez, just like Lewis, is very good at putting himself in a strong position on the grid and is fast when he needs to be.”
Guenther Steiner also highlighted the importance both champions place on cultivating an identity away from the track. Lewis Hamilton’s profile extends far beyond Formula 1, although the comparison suggested that Marc Marquez handles that aspect of his career differently.
“Marquez also spends time looking after his image,” Guenther Steiner continued. “He is not as good at managing everything as Hamilton, but they are both unique. They are great riders and drivers. They have won a great deal during their respective careers.”
Marc Marquez and Lewis Hamilton chase historic eighth titles
The comparison gains further relevance from the ambitions Marc Marquez and Lewis Hamilton share in 2026. Marc Marquez is fighting to win another MotoGP title and trails championship leader Jorge Martin by 18 points. An eighth premier-class crown would allow the Spaniard to equal Giacomo Agostini’s record, while Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez currently have seven apiece in the top category.
Lewis Hamilton is pursuing an equivalent landmark in Formula 1. The Ferrari driver is second in the 2026 World Championship, 50 points behind Kimi Antonelli, and is seeking an eighth title before retiring. The latest Formula 1 driver standings provide the wider context for a championship battle in which the British driver remains the Mercedes youngster’s closest challenger.
Winning that crown would make Lewis Hamilton the outright record holder for Formula 1 Drivers’ Championships. Only two drivers have won seven titles in the history of the series: Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher.
The challenge facing the seven-time world champion has become a major subject for the Maranello team. An assessment of the points Lewis Hamilton has lost during Ferrari’s 2026 title campaign showed how penalties, contact and missed opportunities have shaped the current deficit.
However, the Briton’s record of improving after the summer break offers encouragement as the season enters its decisive phase and has strengthened the debate over Ferrari’s approach to team orders. Both Lewis Hamilton and Marc Marquez therefore remain focused on the same defining objective: securing an eighth championship and establishing an undisputed place at the top of their respective disciplines.
Given their speed, achievements, public profiles and continuing pursuit of history, Guenther Steiner could hardly have chosen a more fitting comparison.
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