Guenther Steiner thinks Lewis Hamilton is onto something with new theory on Ferrari’s pace deficit

Guenther Steiner backed Lewis Hamilton's theory that Ferrari's rivals are masking their true pace until critical qualifying sessions following the United States Grand Prix at COTA. Despite showing strong form in practice and early qualifying segments, Charles Leclerc and Hamilton finished Q3 in fourth and fifth place. Hamilton suggested over team radio and in interviews that Red Bull and Mercedes turn up their engines for the final phase of qualifying.

Steiner echoed this suspicion on the Chequered Flag podcast, stating he believes rival teams hold something back before qualifying while Ferrari does not. Leclerc eventually secured second place in the race while Hamilton finished fourth, but Ferrari continued to suffer from a noticeable straight-line speed deficit compared to their main competitors.