Guenther Steiner sees ‘Rosberg-Hamilton situation’ unfolding at £1.7bn Formula 1 team in 2025

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Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were friends when the former joined Mercedes in 2013. They had known each other since they were young, but competing as teammates was always going to test that relationship.

In just their second year together, Mercedes established themselves as F1’s dominant team. They were the class of the field following the move to the V6 hybrid in 2014.

That meant that, for three years, Hamilton and Rosberg were the only realistic title contenders. And so it was no surprise that the close bond between the two gradually unravelled.

Hamilton prevailed in 2014, sealing the title at the double-points season finale in Abu Dhabi after Rosberg retired. His 2015 triumph was more comfortable as he wrapped up the championship in Austin with three races to spare.

But 2016 was the most acrimonious year of all. Hamilton and Rosberg crashed twice, including an infamous race-ending tangle in Spain that handed Max Verstappen his first-ever win.

Rosberg capitalised on Hamilton’s early reliability woes to build a commanding lead, and while his teammate reduced it to single figures by the end of the season, it wasn’t enough. Having finally achieved his goal, Rosberg retired, and Valtteri Bottas’ arrival restored harmony to the team.

Guenther Steiner likens Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg

Speaking to City AM, former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner suggested a repeat of the Hamilton/Rosberg rivalry may unfold at McLaren. Both drivers have recently signed long-term contracts with the £1.7bn team (Forbes).

Lando Norris is in contention to win his first title this year, having closed the gap on Verstappen to 52 points by winning the Singapore GP. There are six Grands Prix and three Sprint races remaining.

Oscar Piastri sits 42 behind the Englishman, with one fewer win (two versus three) and four fewer podiums (seven vs 11). But with McLaren on a run of four wins in six races, they could enter next year as the title favourites.

Steiner sees a ‘big fight’ developing from next March onwards. The two drivers appear to be on good terms but that may not last.

“I think there could be a Rosberg-Hamilton situation,” Steiner said. “Piastri is a machine, mentally strong, everything is there and he is very young.

“If the car is the same level next year they’ll be in a big fight from the beginning. If Lando wins this year Piastri will want his go while Lando Norris will want another one.”

McLaren have already identified their replacement if Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri leave

Norris’ McLaren deal runs until the end of 2028, while Piastri is contracted until the end of 2026. But Red Bull are interested in both McLaren drivers, and any frontrunner would likely explore a move if they became available.

At 23 and 24, they’re at the forefront of F1’s next generation. Both have the potential to win multiple titles and become legends of the sport.

McLaren will be drawing up contingency plans in case the tension rises and one driver decides to move on. Zak Brown is ready to promote Gabriel Bortoleto, the F2 title contender, if either of them depart.

Like Piastri, Bortoleto would probably need time to settle and develop before he could challenge his teammate. But having won F3 and mounted an instant F2 challenge, he could reach the elite level eventually.