Ferrari faces a sharp internal review after former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner called on the Scuderia to establish firm engagement rules and favour Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc if it wants to remain competitive in 2026.
Team Orders Under Fire
Steiner argues Ferrari did not prepare its top two drivers for the possibility of in‑race team orders. “You cannot implement team orders during a race,” he noted on The Red Flags Podcast, insisting that any such directives must be agreed beforehand to avoid conflicts on the track.
Zandvoort Incident
The friction surfaced at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, where Leclerc’s fresh‑tire stint kept Hamilton, who was on fresher rubber and showing stronger pace, behind him. The delay sparked Hamilton’s frustration on the radio, highlighting the need for clearer operational guidelines.
Steiner’s Call on Leadership
“If one of the two can win, it is Lewis,” Steiner said, positing Hamilton had the better championship chances. He placed responsibility for the communication on team principal Fred Vasseur, saying, “Fred needs to have that conversation; it is his job.”
The call underscores Ferrari’s urgent need to clarify driver engagement rules before the next season, lest intra‑team dynamics cost points and status.
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