Lewis Hamilton’s future in Formula 1 may hinge entirely on Ferrari’s performance in 2026, with Guenther Steiner warning that the seven-time world champion could retire if the team fails to deliver a competitive car.
Hamilton’s first season with the Scuderia fell well short of expectations, leaving the 40-year-old with his first podium-less campaign. Despite arriving in Maranello amid high hopes, both driver and team struggled to find form, with Ferrari’s SF-25 failing to challenge for wins consistently.
Steiner, the former Haas team principal, stressed that Hamilton is unlikely to “put himself through that again” if Ferrari cannot right the wrongs of the 2025 season. While he believes Hamilton still has the talent to rebound, success will depend on the team providing machinery capable of matching his abilities.
The challenge is compounded by Charles Leclerc, who outscored Hamilton by 86 points last year. Steiner noted that sharing a garage with a strong teammate makes the task even more difficult, highlighting the competitive pressures Hamilton faces in his pursuit of success.
With a major regulation overhaul introducing new chassis and power units for 2026, there is potential for Ferrari to turn things around. Steiner described the upcoming season as “pivotal” for Hamilton, suggesting that the team’s performance could ultimately determine whether the seven-time champion extends his career or calls time on Formula 1.
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