Ferrari’s gamble to launch the Bahrain Grand Prix on soft slick tyres in wet conditions ignited a sequence that pushed Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc from the front to the back of the grid.
Steiner blames Ferrari for flawed strategy
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner slammed the Scuderia for “reluctance to admit errors” during a recent episode of The Red Flags Podcast. He contrasted Ferrari’s reaction to a misstep with McLaren’s willingness to change a plan, citing the decision to keep the cars on slicks as an example of harsh self‑justification.
“At McLaren it’s almost reflexive: ‘I think we made the wrong decision, let’s fix it.’ At Ferrari it feels like, ‘We have to show we were right, even if we’re wrong, because admitting a mistake makes us look bad.’” Steiner explained.
Race outcome: From back to podium
The disastrous start saw both drivers slip down the order while the track struggled to dry. Despite the loss, Hamilton and Leclerc marshalled their cars through the race, fighting back from the furthest positions to finish third and fourth, respectively. Hamilton celebrated his third‑place finish on the podium and thanked the pit crew for smooth stops.
Drivers’ reflections
Hamilton admitted a mix of emotions after the race. “I’m grateful to have gotten back to the podium, but part of me wonders what could have been with the intermediate tyres,” he told Sky Sports. His quote underscored a strategic “hunger that never vanished,” even when the track stayed wet longer than expected.
“We kept the decision because we couldn’t say it was wrong, and that cost us time,” Steiner warned. McLaren’s prompt switch to intermediates with Oscar Piastri showed a contrasting “right‑away correction” attitude.
Even after a cramped start, the riders’ resilience was visible as they reclaimed positions, their performances turning a chaotic opening into a podium finish.
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