Lewis Hamilton defended over Ferrari move 'regret' claim

Guenther Steiner has defended Lewis Hamilton and insisted the Briton is not "regretting" joining Ferrari, although is "not happy" by the team's current situation.

Hamilton stunned the Formula 1 paddock at the start of 2024 by announcing that he would leave Mercedes for Ferrari, following one final campaign for the Silver Arrows. 

His switch to Maranello is one of the biggest driver changes in the history of the sport, creating significant expectations on the seven-time world champion. 

However, it has not been the start to his Ferrari career which everyone expected, with the Briton sitting seventh in the F1 drivers' title. 

He has struggled for outright pace and has been slower than Charles Leclerc, although did claim sprint pole in China which he converted into a sprint win. 

Interestingly, one team who have improved this season is Mercedes, leading to speculation that the 40-year-old regrets leaving.

Steiner does not believe this is the case, although does think Hamilton is disappointed at Ferrari's current poor performances. 

"He knew what he was doing," Steiner told the Red Flags podcast, in discussion over whether Hamilton is regretting his move. 

"For him, it was like more a mission in life, to end his career as a driver at Ferrari. It's a dream of a lot of guys, obviously, maybe he hoped to be better off, but I think he's got time. 

"He's got time to still make it up, but I don't think he's regretting it. Obviously, he finds it hard. He's not happy where is at the moment, and he finds it hard the position he is in.

"Yeah, it could be a little bit better at Mercedes now, but Mercedes hasn't won a sprint race yet. So, he was at Mercedes, he wasn't at McLaren, let's say."