As Crash.net reports, former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has tossed a massive grenade into the paddock by suggesting that Max Verstappen might be the right driver to fix Ferrari, rather than Lewis Hamilton. The Scuderia has been battling a near two-decade title drought, and Hamilton arrived for 2025 with the specific goal of turning the Italian outfit's fortunes around. After a hugely disappointing debut season with Ferrari, Hamilton bounced back to lead the Maranello squad's charge during a much more competitive 2026 campaign.
Unfortunately, the machinery isn't the only thing causing friction at Maranello. Intra-team dynamics have flared up into a major talking point following a series of clashes between Hamilton and team-mate Charles Leclerc. That tension has naturally sparked wider debates about whether the team can genuinely become serious title challengers in this state.
Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner questioned whether Hamilton is truly the man for the job. Comparing the situation to past history, Steiner noted that when strong drivers took over the Scuderia, they made it a success—though he pointed out that even Fernando Alonso tried and failed. When explicitly asked if Verstappen might be better suited to the role, Steiner didn't hesitate: "You know how max is. He wouldn't stop. He's relentless. That could be the solution."
Of course, reality bit back almost immediately. Co-host Brain Muller pointed out the obvious flaw in the plan, noting that they are not getting Max anytime soon. Muller added that with a seven-time world champion ready to make Ferrari great again, failing to jump on that when it is time means the team has much bigger problems.
Steiner's explosive take echoes recent comments from former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher. Speaking on Sky Sports Germany’s Backstage Boxengasse podcast, the German pundit questioned Hamilton's ability to lead a team. According to Schumacher, Hamilton never had to learn team leadership under Toto Wolff or Ron Dennis, as his only job was to drive as fast as possible, which has ultimately made him quite egotistical.
F1
F1
