'Will End Up In Vatican!': Steiner Discusses Hamilton's Future With Ferrari

Thursday, 10 October 2024 at 16:00

Former F1 team principal Guenther Steiner joked that Lewis Hamilton could end up in the Vatican as he discussed the 39-year-old's future in Ferrari.

Last time that Lewis Hamilton spoke to the media about his move to Scuderia Ferrari, he suggested that he was looking forward to this "daunting challenge."

The seven-time World Champion has spent 18 seasons in Formula 1, and during all of them, he drove only for two teams, both of which were based in England.

Ferrari, which is based in Italy, has a completely different culture. The fans are also very different. Italian fans, also known as "Tiffosi," are super passionate.

Ferrari hasn't won a title since 2008. Multiple Champions such as Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, and Sebastian Vettel have driven for the team since then but haven't managed to help the team from Maranello win the title.

Former F1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes winning a title with Ferrari could be a chance for Hamilton to be remembered forever. He told Beyond the Grid podcast:

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"He's already leaving a legacy in the sport. I think he wants to try to do the magic to bring Ferrari back to winning championships."

"I think that is his drive. I haven't spoken with him about it. But I can see his motivation to go there – 'I'm a GOAT anyway, I've won seven championships, what more can I do?'."

“At Mercedes, maybe I can win my eighth there if I do a good job. But Ferrari, if I win my eighth and win a championship for Ferrari, the guy will end up in the Vatican!

The Vatican is the city-state located in the middle of Rome. It is also the Pope's home and headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.

Steiner also pointed out that joining Ferrari is a chance for Hamilton to partner with his former team boss and good friend Fred Vasseur, with whom he won titles in both F2 and F3.

"I think Ferrari without Formula 1 is not Ferrari, and Formula 1 without Ferrari is not Formula 1. I think it's just this magic which this Prancing Horse carries, and if you have the chance to be part of it as a driver, and he's a good position, he's very close with Fred Vasseur."

"They know each other, they won a lot in the junior formulas, Lewis and Fred with his team. They're very close, and I think they try to do something together, and if they achieve it, it must be pretty cool for both of them."