Steiner Questions Whether Hamilton Can Lead Ferrari Revival, Points to Verstappen

Guenther Steiner has cast doubt on whether Lewis Hamilton is the man to drag Ferrari back to the top, suggesting Max Verstappen's relentlessness might be the missing ingredient at Maranello. The former Haas team principal made the remarks on The Red Flags Podcast, weighing in on a broader theory that Ferrari has only thrived when a dominant personality takes ownership of the operation.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's 2026 season has been defined by Hamilton's flashes of old form — a maiden win in Barcelona — and by growing friction with Charles Leclerc. With three rounds remaining, the question of who truly leads the garage carries real weight as the Scuderia tries to close the gap to the front.

The details:

• Steiner pointed to history, noting Michael Schumacher transformed Ferrari by force of will, while Fernando Alonso's attempt ultimately fell short.
• "You know how Max is. He wouldn't stop. He's relentless. That could be the solution," Steiner said of Verstappen.
• Co-host Brian Muller pushed back, arguing Ferrari is not getting Verstappen anytime soon — so committing fully to a seven-time champion is the only realistic path.
• Ralf Schumacher added fuel, claiming Hamilton "never learned how to lead a team" under Toto Wolff or Ron Dennis.
• The 41-year-old sits fourth in the drivers' standings after a tricky debut campaign in red in 2025.

What's next:

Hamilton's on-track battles with Leclerc will keep the spotlight fixed on Ferrari's internal hierarchy through the final three races. Whether he can convert raw pace into team-wide momentum may shape both his legacy at Maranello and the timeline for Ferrari's return to title contention.