Guenther Steiner raises concerns over Lewis Hamilton’s team radio message during Spa GP

Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Scuderia Ferrari has not unfolded in the way the seven-time world champion had envisioned, and it is becoming increasingly clear that there is substantial work to be done if he is to return to winning ways in red.

After thirteen rounds of the 2025 Formula 1 season, the Briton finds himself in sixth place in the drivers’ standings. He has yet to secure a podium finish for the Maranello-based team—an unprecedented situation in his long and illustrious career. Even during difficult periods with both McLaren and Mercedes, the British driver had not experienced such an extended drought without a top-three result.

The burden now falls on Ferrari to provide a car capable of matching Hamilton’s expectations and talent. The team has already begun addressing key issues, implementing several updates during the recent Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. These modifications are part of a broader effort to bring the SF-25 closer to the front-running pace seen from rivals like McLaren and Red Bull.

Speculation surrounding Hamilton’s future has added further tension. He is reportedly frustrated by suggestions that he could walk away from the team at the end of his contract in 2025. Sources close to the driver insist that this is not an option he is entertaining. Despite the current struggles, he remains committed to Ferrari’s long-term vision and is determined to make the partnership a success.

Lewis Hamilton is also said to be dealing with a deeper, more personal issue regarding his connection to the car. After months of experimentation and setup changes, he still feels mentally detached from the SF-25. The core of the problem lies in the handling characteristics of the car, which he has found difficult to fully understand and exploit. At present, there appears to be no immediate solution.

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner recently expressed concern over Lewis Hamilton’s demeanor and communication at the Belgian Grand Prix. According to Guenther Steiner, the British driver appeared unusually subdued and was still adjusting to numerous changes during his first year at Ferrari. One point of friction appears to be the new race engineer assigned to him in 2025—Riccardo Adami.

During the race at Spa, Hamilton and Adami reportedly had a tense radio exchange over fuel management and race strategy. The interaction caught the attention of Steiner, who interpreted the exchange as a worrying sign. He noted that when a driver begins publicly challenging instructions from the pit wall, it often reflects deeper issues within the team’s internal dynamic.

Steiner commented further, suggesting that if a driver needs to explain technical limitations mid-race, it may indicate a breakdown in communication or preparation. He also implied that the engineering team, which includes experienced personnel and is overseen by team principal Frédéric Vasseur, should be in a stronger position to anticipate and manage such situations.

Meanwhile, another layer of criticism has come from former F1 technical director Gary Anderson, who believes that Hamilton may have unintentionally caused disruption within Ferrari. According to Anderson, the driver’s decision to send a detailed list of suggestions and requests to the team may have had a counterproductive effect, creating internal pressure or confusion rather than fostering progress.

Despite the criticism, Ferrari remains optimistic about the second half of the season. Technical upgrades implemented at Spa, including a change in brake pad materials and a revised rear suspension system, are expected to enhance the SF-25’s performance significantly. These adjustments may finally allow Hamilton to extract the full potential of the car, unleashing his trademark race pace and tire management skills—attributes that could prove decisive in upcoming Grands Prix.

Whether Ferrari can translate their technical improvements into podium finishes will also depend heavily on the performance levels of their main competitors. While McLaren currently holds a clear advantage in terms of consistency and raw speed, certain circuits in the latter part of the season may present opportunities for Ferrari to strike back.

With 2026 and a new era of regulations looming on the horizon, time is of the essence. Lewis Hamilton’s current deal with the Scuderia expires at the end of next season, and both parties are well aware that the window to achieve their shared goals is narrowing. The months ahead will be crucial in determining whether this high-profile partnership can evolve into a genuine title-contending force—or remain an unfulfilled chapter in Hamilton’s extraordinary career.