Former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner says it appears Lewis Hamilton made the “right decision” in swapping Mercedes for Ferrari after a frustrating start to F1 2024.
Heading into the new campaign, it showed that Hamilton would be starting his final year as a Mercedes driver, having made the explosive announcement that he would leave Ferrari from 2025.
Hamilton has made it clear that his goal is to reach the top at Mercedes; the start of the season has put that goal to the test, and Hamilton has yet to overqualify teammate George Russell or finish above seventh.
The most recent sadness came in Australia, where Hamilton suffered an engine failure at Sunday’s Grand Prix, with the seven-time world champion confirming what is statistically true by saying F1 2024 marks “the worst start to a season I’ve ever had”.
Hamilton’s future Ferrari team is smiling after Carlos Sainz, the driver Hamilton will replace, scored a one-two for the team.
And as when Hamilton switched from McLaren to Mercedes, Steiner says it feels like a wise step in his career from being F1’s most successful driver.
“It looks like he’s making the right decision,” Steiner told Sky Sports of Hamilton’s upcoming move to Ferrari.
“He did it when he left McLaren to move to Mercedes.
“But I think it’s more of a new challenge for him. He’s been part of a team for 11 years, won seven championships, and has a smart relationship there.
“It’s just that I think in the last step of his career he needs a new challenge. And obviously, with Ferrari being the ultimate challenge, it’s smart to have the opportunity to do it. “
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Although F1’s 2024 crusade is still in its early stages, it already looks like Hamilton’s quest for this record-breaking eighth world championship will extend into his Ferrari career.
And Steiner says we can’t rule out Hamilton reaching this level in Ferrari red, especially as the landscape will change in 2026 with the arrival of new chassis and powertrain regulations.
“I think nothing is impossible,” Steiner said of the prospect of Hamilton becoming an eight-time world champion.
“And as you know, in 2026 there will be a whole new set of regulations, in terms of engine and chassis.
“So the cars are being rebuilt and if they have a bit of luck and are in the right place, Ferrari produces a smart car, it could be imaginable that they win their eighth championship.
Hamilton has tasted victory in Formula 1 since his triumph at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
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