Lewis Hamilton’s immense profile in and beyond Formula 1 could create internal friction at Ferrari, former Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner has suggested.
The seven-time World Champion’s high-profile switch to Maranello for the 2025 season was met with global fanfare, uniting the sport’s most decorated driver with its most iconic team.
But 12 races into the campaign, the British star is still searching for his first podium in red – and questions are beginning to surface about the dynamic between driver and team.
Steiner opined that Hamilton’s unique global brand – built through ventures in fashion, film, and philanthropy – may be difficult to fully integrate within Ferrari’s famously structured culture.
In his view, Hamilton’s presence is so influential that it could disrupt the internal balance of power.
“I think in Formula 1, the only one above a team is Lewis Hamilton,” Steiner told the Business of Sport podcast.
“His presence, his stature, it is very big. Outside of the sport as well. You’re big in the sport, but then when you get big outside of the sport, you’re bigger than the actual team.
“It’s the same in football; it happens. I think in Formula 1, the only one that can claim that is Lewis at the moment.
“I think Max [Verstappen] is very big in the sport, but he doesn’t work on being somebody outside of the sport, because for him, his life is racing cars, while Lewis has got another thing as well, what he wants to achieve in life.
“And I think we see it now with Lewis at Ferrari – they are two huge brands together, and it’s almost sometimes a conflict. Who is bigger: Ferrari or Lewis?”
Steiner questions whether Ferrari needed superstar signing
While acknowledging the star power Hamilton brings, Steiner questioned whether Ferrari truly needed such a high-profile signing.
When asked if he would have made the same decision if he were in charge at the Scuderia, the 60-year-old was candid about his doubts.
Steiner believes the move has raised expectations to unrealistic levels, which has, in turn, fueled disappointment as the team’s results have fallen short.
“No, because I don’t think Ferrari needs that – that’s my opinion,” he replied. “I think it’s a cool story, to be honest, a seven-time World Champion going to Ferrari.
“Ferrari was doing good, but I think we put the expectations so high, so now we got a little bit the expectations were not fulfilled.
“We are a little bit, ‘Oh, this doesn’t work’, and now we are depressed about it.”
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