Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in Formula 1 continues to raise questions and spark intense debate among fans, pundits, and analysts alike. After 17 Grands Prix of the 2025 season, the British seven-time world champion has accumulated one of the most unfortunate records in the recent history of the Scuderia: he is currently the driver with the highest number of races without securing a single podium finish. This troubling scenario has naturally led many to wonder whether the decision to replace Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton was truly the most suitable choice for the team’s long-term competitive goals. Furthermore, there are growing discussions about whether the substantial financial investment that Ferrari made to bring Lewis Hamilton to Maranello is genuinely yielding the returns expected in terms of performance, results, and overall team stability.
A challenging record and a difficult adaptation
A clear and candid perspective on Lewis Hamilton’s situation has been offered by Guenther Steiner, the former team principal of Haas Formula 1 team, who has spoken openly and without restraint about the British driver’s complicated and often frustrating season with Ferrari. Even though Steiner no longer holds an official role within the Formula 1 paddock, his experience and insight allow him to follow the series very closely. Steiner did not hesitate to comment on Lewis Hamilton’s evident struggles to adapt to the Ferrari SF-25, a car with very different characteristics compared to the machinery Hamilton was accustomed to during his time with Mercedes. The seven-time world champion continues to experience a difficult period at the wheel of the iconic red car, facing challenges that risk turning this into one of the most disappointing seasons of his illustrious career.
The Ferrari SF-25, with its distinct technical and aerodynamic characteristics, does not seem to complement Lewis Hamilton’s natural driving style, making it difficult for him to consistently extract the maximum performance from the car. The combination of high expectations, historical pressure, and a vehicle that behaves differently from his previous cars has created a scenario in which the British driver is visibly struggling. In fact, Lewis Hamilton is currently navigating what could become his worst season since his debut in Formula 1 in 2007, with sporadic flashes of his usual brilliance overshadowed by frequent difficulties in achieving consistent results. This lack of continuity, coupled with the challenges in fully understanding and adapting to the unique nuances of the Ferrari SF-25, has contributed to mounting frustration both within the team and for Lewis Hamilton personally, as he seeks to find the rhythm and confidence that defined his championship-winning years.
Guenther Steiner is unequivocal in his assessment: within the Ferrari team, there are some individuals who, even if quietly, are beginning to regret the decision to hire Lewis Hamilton. According to Steiner, team management is unlikely ever to admit such regret publicly, as acknowledging a mistake of this magnitude would be tantamount to openly conceding that a strategic error was made. While this is clearly the personal opinion of the former Haas team boss, it is a viewpoint that could undoubtedly be debated for months without reaching any definitive conclusion that satisfies all parties involved. The discussion around whether Lewis Hamilton was the right choice for Ferrari is complex, touching not only on the sporting aspects but also on financial, technical, and organizational considerations.
Carlos Sainz might have been the better choice, leaving aside financial considerations
Steiner argues that the Italian team did not make the optimal decision in replacing Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton. The Spanish driver had been performing reliably, providing consistency, stability, and cohesion within the Ferrari team structure. Carlos Sainz’s presence offered a level of predictability that allowed Ferrari engineers and team principals to focus primarily on car development and performance optimization, without having to navigate the additional challenges that accompany integrating a global superstar like Lewis Hamilton into an established team dynamic.
With Carlos Sainz remaining in the cockpit, Ferrari would likely have avoided the external distractions and pressures that have arisen due to Lewis Hamilton’s current struggles. This would have allowed the team to concentrate exclusively on improving the car’s overall performance and competitiveness on track. The Spaniard had already built a strong rapport with Ferrari’s technical staff and management, and his consistency meant that the team could rely on steady results while continuing to refine their technical package, particularly in areas such as aerodynamic efficiency, suspension balance, and tire management strategies.
When Carlos Sainz was behind the wheel, the working relationship with Ferrari could be described as well-established and reliable. He was a driver capable of delivering consistent and predictable results, contributing to a stable team environment. Had the Spaniard stayed, many of the challenges currently associated with Lewis Hamilton’s underwhelming performance may not have surfaced. According to Steiner, this has complicated Ferrari’s ability to focus fully on the development of the car, as more resources and attention are being allocated to understanding why Lewis Hamilton struggles with the SF-25’s handling characteristics.
Beyond the sporting implications, there is a notable economic aspect to consider. The signing of Lewis Hamilton involved a significant financial commitment from Ferrari, encompassing not only a very high salary but also the entire support structure required to manage a driver of his stature. This includes logistical coordination, specialized engineering attention, and a broad range of commercial and organizational responsibilities associated with a world-class driver. Steiner observes that, at present, this financial outlay does not appear to be delivering the expected returns in terms of championship points, podium finishes, or team morale.
Lewis Hamilton: the last of Ferrari’s problems
In addition to on-track performance challenges and the financial implications of his contract, the arrival of Lewis Hamilton has reportedly created internal tensions within the Ferrari team, according to Guenther Steiner. Managing a driver of Lewis Hamilton’s extraordinary caliber requires additional resources, dedicated time, and focused attention from both the engineering staff and team leadership. These demands are layered on top of the already intense pressure involved in developing a highly competitive Formula 1 car, creating a complex environment in which team cohesion and performance can be tested. The necessity to manage a superstar driver, while simultaneously striving to optimize the SF-25’s technical performance, adds a unique layer of complexity that risks destabilizing the broader technical and sporting environment within the team.
However, it is important to recognize that not all of Steiner’s statements are entirely accurate or reflective of the full context. Ferrari itself bears significant responsibility in this situation, summarized primarily in two key areas. The first and most straightforward issue is related to the expectations set for Lewis Hamilton: the team promised him a top-tier, highly competitive car capable of fighting for the World Championship. This car was expected to be easy to drive, responsive to his input, and fully aligned with his driving style. Unfortunately, the reality has been markedly different, with the SF-25 presenting handling challenges and inconsistencies that have prevented Hamilton from fully exploiting his legendary driving talent.
The second area of responsibility lies with Ferrari’s technical team, which has struggled to adapt the car to Lewis Hamilton’s specific requirements. The engineers have not yet fully optimized the car to suit his driving style, nor have they provided him with the consistent support and feedback necessary to perform at his maximum potential. This shortfall has only been partially addressed during the season, with glimpses of improvement visible only intermittently. Even Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur recently acknowledged that the team had underestimated the challenges associated with integrating Lewis Hamilton into the existing squad, highlighting the complexity of managing such a high-profile driver while maintaining focus on car development and race performance.
Ultimately, any driver, regardless of their innate talent and past achievements, will struggle if they do not feel a proper connection with their car. Lewis Hamilton requires a comprehensive program in which he feels fully integrated, informed, and involved in all aspects of development—a level of involvement that remains far from the current reality at Ferrari. In this context, financial considerations are secondary: Lewis Hamilton is arguably the least of Ferrari’s concerns, given the Scuderia’s strong commercial position. Every season, Ferrari receives substantial interest from sponsors eager to associate with the team’s iconic cars, independent of on-track results. This means that the team’s commercial health is not contingent upon Hamilton’s current performance.
Hamilton is, in reality, the last of Ferrari’s problems. If, hypothetically, the SF-25 were a flawless, dominant car and Lewis Hamilton were struggling to extract performance due to skill limitations, the conversation would be markedly different. Until such a scenario arises, the focus should remain on the numerous technical, organizational, and strategic challenges that Ferrari continues to face—issues that go well beyond any individual driver and reflect the broader complexities of managing a modern Formula 1 team in a highly competitive and constantly evolving environment.
The Italian team, with its rich history and unmatched prestige in Formula 1, continues to face multiple areas requiring improvement. These include refining car development strategies, enhancing aerodynamic efficiency, optimizing tire management, and improving internal communication between drivers, engineers, and management. Addressing these issues effectively will be critical not only for Lewis Hamilton’s performance but also for the long-term competitiveness of Ferrari in the 2026 World Championship season. Until these broader challenges are successfully managed, discussions about individual driver performance, including that of Lewis Hamilton, should be considered within the context of the team’s overall structural and strategic limitations.
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