According to former Haas Team Principal Gunther Steiner, a competitive car will likely be crucial for Lewis Hamilton to regain momentum. Otherwise, the 2026 season could mark the final chapter of his Formula 1 career.
Ferrari: is 2026 decisive?
Charles Leclerc made it clear in Abu Dhabi that Ferrari’s 2026 season, at least with the current lineup, will be an “now or never” year. And it’s not just about the Monegasque driver, who has long been linked to Lawrence and Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin. Lewis Hamilton, sitting on the other side of the Maranello garage, also faces a pivotal challenge. After struggling more than expected with ground-effect cars and leaving Mercedes to take on Ferrari’s challenge, the next season will determine whether the seven-time world champion ends his F1 career with a flourish or another disappointing chapter.
Steiner focuses on Lewis Hamilton
Much will depend on Ferrari, which finished the 2025 season on a downward trend, giving the impression that the team may not be fully prepared for such a radical regulatory change. Fan expectations are low, with social media largely suggesting that even in the next regulation cycle, Ferrari could find itself chasing rivals. While the track will ultimately speak for itself, Gunther Steiner – who knows Maranello well from years of collaboration with Ferrari as a power unit customer – highlighted that having a fast car will likely be decisive for Hamilton.
“I believe that if Ferrari has a good car next season,” Gunther Steiner told Austrian daily Kronen Zeitung, “then Lewis can succeed. We must remember that he has an excellent teammate in Charles Leclerc, who has reached the podium a few times but hasn’t won a race. With this car, though, the podium was already a satisfying result. If next season Ferrari is more competitive, Lewis Hamilton will regain his motivation. If things continue as they are, I believe the next season will be his last in Formula 1. He certainly won’t keep putting himself through this. The situation is very difficult, as seen in every interview. So it will be a decisive year for him.”
Gunther Steiner’s analysis highlights a harsh reality for the Scuderia: their ability to interpret the new rules won’t just impact their trophy cabinet, but also their ability to retain one of the greatest drivers in history. Hamilton’s legendary hunger for victory remains, but as Steiner suggests, that fire requires a competitive machine to keep burning. If Maranello delivers a dud, the 2026 season could very well serve as a bittersweet farewell tour for the seven-time champion.
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