Guenther Steiner reveals why Lewis Hamilton is struggling to find confidence at Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated debut season with Scuderia Ferrari has not gone according to plan. As the 2025 Formula 1 campaign approaches its final stretch, the seven-time world champion faces the real possibility of finishing his first year in red without stepping onto a Grand Prix podium — a scenario few could have imagined when his move from Mercedes was announced.
Despite flashes of competitiveness, Lewis Hamilton’s partnership with Ferrari has yet to produce the results both sides had hoped for. If his form doesn’t drastically improve in the remaining six rounds, Hamilton would join a rare and unenviable group — becoming only the fifth driver since 1980 to complete a full season with Ferrari without scoring a podium finish. All five of the team’s podiums in 2025 have been delivered by Charles Leclerc, while Hamilton’s only highlight came in the Sprint Race in China, where his victory was overshadowed by Ferrari’s subsequent double disqualification on Sunday.
The British driver’s frustrations mirror the challenges faced by Leclerc, as Ferrari’s SF-25 has struggled to compete with the likes of Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes. Even when opportunities appeared, such as Leclerc’s strong performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix, mechanical inconsistencies and unpredictable tyre degradation dashed Ferrari’s hopes of victory.
Over the course of the season, Lewis Hamilton’s tone in media appearances has shifted — reflecting growing frustration with the team’s ongoing struggles. Yet, the performance curve has remained flat, and a clear pattern of underachievement has taken hold. Many within the paddock have speculated that Lewis Hamilton’s difficulties stem not only from adapting to a new team but also from deeper technical issues affecting his driving confidence.
Guenther Steiner’s theory on Hamilton’s loss of confidence
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner recently offered his perspective on Hamilton’s ongoing adaptation problems. Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner suggested that Lewis Hamilton’s difficulties might be closely linked to Ferrari’s braking system — a component vital to a driver’s confidence and precision.
He pointed out that Hamilton’s disappointing result at the Singapore Grand Prix — where he was running in fifth place before a sudden brake failure dropped him to eighth — highlighted an ongoing issue. According to Steiner, such reliability concerns would inevitably erode a driver’s sense of control and comfort behind the wheel.
Steiner noted that during recent seasons Ferrari had not experienced frequent braking issues, and he speculated that the change in driver and driving style may have contributed to the resurgence of such problems. He theorized that Hamilton, who had spent over a decade at Mercedes, might still be struggling to adapt to Ferrari’s Brembo braking system, having used Carbon Industrie brakes throughout his Mercedes career. This switch, he suggested, could be a key factor undermining Hamilton’s rhythm and confidence.
In Formula 1, braking is one of the most critical aspects of a driver’s interaction with the car. Any uncertainty in pedal feel, bite point, or brake temperature management can prevent a driver from pushing to the absolute limit. Steiner argued that without full trust in the braking response, even the most talented drivers will subconsciously hold back — a problem that could explain Hamilton’s uncharacteristic lack of aggression and consistency this year.
Ferrari’s brake design could be limiting one of Hamilton’s greatest strengths
From the outset of the season, much discussion surrounded the time Hamilton would need to fully acclimatize to life at Ferrari. Beyond learning a new team culture, engineering philosophy, and car behavior, he also had to adjust to entirely different brake dynamics. Ferrari, known for their long-standing partnership with Brembo, have traditionally designed their cars around these braking systems — even resisting suggestions to experiment with alternative suppliers.
When reports surfaced earlier this year that Ferrari had evaluated the possibility of switching brake manufacturers, backlash from fans and purists quickly followed. The Italian marque’s connection with Brembo is deeply rooted in its racing heritage, and changing suppliers was seen as almost sacrilegious. Nevertheless, Lewis Hamilton’s Singapore failure reignited questions about whether Ferrari’s brake package is truly optimized for the team’s current driver lineup.
Adding to the complexity is the fact that Ferrari’s SF-25 features the smallest brake discs on the grid, a deliberate aerodynamic compromise aimed at improving airflow efficiency and reducing drag. However, this decision appears to have created unintended consequences. The smaller discs generate more heat and offer less consistent feedback under high-stress braking — factors that can severely affect a driver’s confidence, especially one renowned for late-braking mastery.
Throughout his career, Lewis Hamilton has built a reputation as one of Formula 1’s finest under-brakers. His ability to modulate pedal pressure and carry speed into corners has been a cornerstone of his racing style, particularly during his peak Mercedes years. But the characteristics of Ferrari’s SF-25 have seemingly neutralized this strength, leaving him unable to fully exploit one of his greatest natural advantages.
With just a handful of races left in 2025, the Briton and Ferrari find themselves in a situation that neither anticipated. The Scuderia’s pursuit of aerodynamic gains appears to have compromised mechanical feel, an area that directly affects driver confidence and race performance. Unless Ferrari can engineer a more balanced package for 2026 — one that restores stability and predictability under braking — Hamilton’s first season with the team may be remembered as one of frustration rather than triumph.
Despite the setbacks, insiders suggest that Lewis Hamilton remains committed to helping Ferrari overcome its current limitations. With his vast experience, technical feedback, and relentless attention to detail, the British driver could yet play a crucial role in shaping the team’s next generation of cars. For Ferrari, the challenge now is to provide a machine that allows their newest star to rediscover the confidence and precision that have defined his illustrious Formula 1 career.
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