Steiner says Hamilton 'didn't help himself' with frustrated Ferrari radio at Zandvoort

Guenther Steiner has warned that Lewis Hamilton’s frustrated outbursts on team radio during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort did the seven-time champion more harm than good, with the former Haas principal suggesting Hamilton appeared to put his own interests ahead of the team.

Hamilton repeatedly urged Ferrari to allow him to pass team-mate Charles Leclerc, who was running a different strategy. When Ferrari eventually brought Leclerc into the pits, Hamilton complained the team had wasted too much time, and later asked sarcastically whether he was being used as a “guinea pig” while running on old hard tyres.

Steiner, speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, drew a pointed comparison between Ferrari’s handling of the situation and the approach of Hamilton’s former team, Mercedes. “Obviously, it was not as well organised as the silver people. They were well organised,” he said. “They had the discussion before and obviously that discussion was not as heated as that one after for Ferrari because when you go into the drivers before the race and tell them what is what.”

Steiner acknowledged that Ferrari bore some responsibility for not briefing its drivers thoroughly enough on potential team-order scenarios before the race. “I think that one was not done in the detail Mercedes stated, and that caused what happened,” he added.

However, he was equally direct about Hamilton’s conduct on the radio. “I don’t think Lewis helped himself being so critical because when you’re sitting on the pitwall and you hear that, it’s like, ‘Oh this guy’s actually trying to vouch too much for himself. He doesn’t see the team anymore here.’ You could say, ‘Hey, would it not be better if he lets me pass, I’m faster,’ instead of saying, ‘Oh you made me lose time here.’”

Hamilton subsequently addressed the episode on Instagram, acknowledging his tone had fallen short of his own standards. “I’ve listened back to some of my radio and TV comments. In the heat of the moment, frustration can come out, especially when you care as deeply as I do,” he wrote. “But that wasn’t the best version of me. I take responsibility for that, and I’ll be better. That passion comes from believing in this team, the people in it, and what we’re building together. The direction is clear. The belief is there. And the fight is absolutely still on.”

The episode highlights the ongoing challenge of managing internal dynamics at Ferrari as Hamilton continues to adapt to life at Maranello in his debut season with the team.