Steiner Issues Blunt Verdict on Hamilton's Ferrari Debut: 'No Excuse'

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has delivered a scathing assessment of Lewis Hamilton's debut season with Ferrari, placing the seven-time champion in a 'solid B' tier and arguing his frequent Q1 eliminations were inexcusable. Steiner's comments, made on the Red Flags podcast, add fuel to the narrative that Hamilton's highly anticipated move to Maranello has so far been a disappointment, marked by underperformance and internal friction.

Why it matters:

Steiner's blunt verdict carries weight as it reflects a growing sentiment within the paddock about Hamilton's struggles. For a driver of Hamilton's stature, a season marred by poor qualifying and a reported lack of synergy with his race engineer is a major story. It puts immense pressure on both Hamilton and Ferrari to deliver in 2026, with the former Haas boss even suggesting a non-competitive car could end the champion's career.

The details:

• Steiner's main criticism centered on Hamilton's qualifying struggles: 'Out in Q1 all the time. If Fernando Alonso and an Aston Martin can do it, there’s no excuse for it.'
• He ranked Hamilton alongside drivers like Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg, a significant drop from his usual 'A-tier' status reserved for the sport's elite performers.
• Looking ahead, Steiner was direct about Hamilton's future motivation: 'I think if the car is good, he’ll find his motivation again. If the car isn’t good, I think that will be the end of the year, that will be the end of the season.'
• The article also notes a reported lack of chemistry between Hamilton and his race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Tense radio exchanges throughout the season highlighted a difficult adjustment period for the Briton.

What's next:

The 2026 season now becomes a defining moment for Hamilton's legacy at Ferrari. With new regulations leveling the playing field, all eyes will be on whether the Scuderia can provide a championship-caliber car to reignite Hamilton's motivation. Steiner's comments have set a clear benchmark: anything less than a front-running car and a resurgent Hamilton will be seen as a failure for one of F1's most high-profile driver-team partnerships.