Guenther Steiner cracks joke over Lewis Hamilton's next move after Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton's impending move to Ferrari is getting closer.
Guenther Steiner has joked that Lewis Hamilton 'will end up in the Vatican' if he secures Formula One glory at Ferrari. Hamilton will join the Italian team next season and will be hoping to rival the likes of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at the top of the standings.
Ferrari have failed to win a title in 16 years, with their last triumph coming in 2008 when they finished top of the Constructors' Championship. Kimi Raikkonen was their last driver to win the individual honours in 2007, a year before Hamilton secured his first title.
The 39-year-old's impending move to Ferrari has generated a fresh wave of optimism and Steiner believes he will achieve god-like status if he brings a title back to Maranello.
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Speaking on the Beyond The Grid podcast, the former Haas team principal said: "I think he wants to try to do the magic, to bring Ferrari back to winning championships and that, I think, is his drive.
"I obviously haven’t spoken with him about it, but I can see that was his motivation to go there, try to bring it back: 'I’m a GOAT, anyway, you know, I won seven championships. What more can I do?’.
"I must say this, I can win my eighth, maybe, if you’re doing a good job at Ferrari. If I win my eighth, or win a championship for Ferrari, the guy will end up in the Vatican!"
Steiner believes Hamilton's close relationship with Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur will help him to succeed, with the pair having worked together before entering F1.
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"I think Ferrari without Formula One is not Ferrari, and Formula One without Ferrari is not Formula One," added Steiner. "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.
"He’s in 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 will be pretty cool for both of them."
Hamilton will be hoping to rediscover his best form at Ferrari after enduring a difficult end to his 11-year spell at Mercedes. He has only won two races since missing out on the title in 2021 and continues to struggle in qualifying against team-mate George Russell.
