Steiner Suggests Hamilton Could Retire After 2025
Why it matters: Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes Lewis Hamilton's future in Formula 1 beyond 2025 hinges on his performance turnaround at Ferrari. Hamilton's challenging start to his Ferrari career has led to speculation about his long-term commitment.
The Big Picture
Lewis Hamilton has faced a frustrating debut season with Ferrari, currently trailing teammate Charles Leclerc by 42 points. His struggles peaked at the Hungaroring, where he qualified P12 and labeled himself "useless," even suggesting Ferrari should "change driver."
Hamilton's Current Struggles:
- No Podium Finishes: Hamilton is yet to secure a podium with Ferrari in 2025.
- Performance Gap: Significantly behind Charles Leclerc in points.
- Self-Confidence: Steiner notes a loss of self-confidence due to reality not meeting pre-season expectations.
- Hungary GP Low: A particularly disappointing weekend where he started and finished 12th.
Steiner's Analysis
Guenther Steiner, in an interview with Web.de, stated that Hamilton "hasn't lived up to expectations" since his move from Mercedes. He emphasized that age isn't the primary factor, as Hamilton is in excellent physical condition, but rather the mental toll of struggling.
Key Points from Steiner:
- "He has lost his self-confidence. If you no longer believe in yourself, you cannot perform."
- "When his move to Ferrari was announced, there was huge hype... But when reality doesn’t live up to expectations, you lose confidence in yourself."
- He advises Hamilton: "If you no longer enjoy it, if you realise you’re just struggling, then there’s no point."
The Car Excuse Debunked
Steiner dismissed the notion that the Ferrari SF-25 is an excuse for Hamilton's struggles. He argued that top drivers must adapt to their cars, and the SF-25 is a capable machine. "I wouldn’t look for excuses for Lewis," Steiner asserted.
What's Next
The upcoming summer break is seen as a crucial period for Hamilton to reflect and potentially return refreshed. If his performance doesn't improve, Steiner suggests Hamilton could choose to retire, leveraging his extensive interests outside F1, such as film, fashion, and business ventures like Almave.
Hamilton's multi-year contract with Ferrari is widely believed to extend until the end of 2026, and his recent efforts to influence the team's future (like submitting documents for 2026 car development) indicate a desire to make the partnership work. However, the mental strain of underperforming could lead him to an early exit if enjoyment wanes.