Guenther Steiner pinpoints major obstacles which stand between Ferrari and a return to Schumacher-era dominance. Guenther Steiner reveals why deep-rooted structural issues are preventing Ferrari from returning to dominance.

Ferrari’s Championship Drought: Guenther Steiner Highlights Deep-Rooted Issues Hindering a Return to Schumacher-Era Dominance

Ferrari remains one of the most iconic names in Formula 1 history, having competed in every race since the sport’s inception over 75 years ago. However, despite their enduring presence on the grid, sustained success has often eluded the Scuderia in the modern era. Their last championship triumph dates back to 2007, when Kimi Räikkönen secured the Drivers’ title—a milestone that now feels increasingly distant.

Between 2010 and 2012, Fernando Alonso came close to ending Ferrari’s title drought, only to be narrowly defeated by Sebastian Vettel and the dominant Red Bull Racing machine. In a fresh attempt to reclaim past glory, Ferrari recently signed seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, pairing him with Charles Leclerc, a driver nurtured through the team’s own academy. Many view this high-profile lineup as Ferrari’s best chance in years to revive the golden era once led by Michael Schumacher during the early 2000s.
However, according to former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, the challenges facing Ferrari go far beyond driver talent. Speaking on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner suggested that a multitude of systemic issues continue to prevent the Maranello-based squad from returning to the top of the sport.

Guenther Steiner Points to Structural Barriers Preventing Ferrari’s Resurgence

Guenther Steiner believes that Ferrari is hindered by what he described as “a lot of negatives” that significantly impact their ability to attract top engineering and design talent—one of the key ingredients needed to build a championship-winning team.

He noted that, unlike many of their rivals, Ferrari remains one of the few teams headquartered outside the United Kingdom, where the majority of F1’s technical expertise is concentrated. This geographical disadvantage, he argued, plays a major role in Ferrari’s recruitment struggles.

Referring specifically to Ferrari’s failed attempt to sign legendary designer Adrian Newey—who ultimately chose Aston Martin—Steiner indicated that financial constraints imposed by Formula 1’s budget cap are exacerbating the issue. According to Guenther Steiner, potential hires already working for top teams in the UK face little incentive to relocate to Italy, especially when financial compensation is restricted.

He explained that under the current budget cap, teams can no longer offer inflated salaries to lure personnel from one country to another.

As the former Haas manager outlined, engineers working comfortably in England with competitive salaries and well-established support systems are unlikely to uproot their lives for a move to Italy—particularly when the pay would be lower and their families may be reluctant to relocate. He also mentioned that Brexit has further complicated cross-border employment, adding yet another barrier for teams like Ferrari.

Ferrari Faces Tough Competition as Rivals Expand UK-Based Operations

The broader Formula 1 landscape is also shifting in ways that make life harder for Ferrari. New entrants such as Audi and Cadillac are choosing to establish their F1 operations in the UK, further centralizing technical talent within the region often dubbed “Motorsport Valley.” Audi, set to take over Sauber by 2026, recently announced the development of a new British facility aimed at streamlining talent acquisition.

Historically, Sauber has encountered similar difficulties as Ferrari when trying to attract top-tier engineers to Hinwil, Switzerland—a location burdened by a higher cost of living and limited appeal compared to the UK’s bustling F1 ecosystem. Meanwhile, Italy’s Decreto Crescita, commonly known as the “Beckham Law,” which had offered significant tax breaks to foreign workers, was repealed in 2024, removing yet another incentive for international specialists to consider a move to Maranello.

While Lewis Hamilton has brought along a handful of trusted engineers from his time at Mercedes, Steiner noted that Ferrari still seems to lack the innovative edge and creative environment seen at rivals like Red Bull. In his view, until Ferrari addresses these deeper logistical and structural issues, the team’s ability to return to the level of dominance achieved during Schumacher’s reign will remain a distant ambition.