After spending nearly twenty years in the Formula 1 paddock, Günter Steiner is discovering the world of MotoGP this season as team principal of Tech3 KTM. A fresh perspective, but one forged by his vast experience in motorsport, allows him to draw unexpected parallels. For example, when asked which racing driver Marc Marquez most resembles, the former Haas boss doesn't mention Michael Schumacher or Max Verstappen. His answer is immediate: Lewis Hamilton.
In an interview with Motorsport, Steiner He explains that the comparison is not based solely on the two men's track record. What strikes him most is their competitive intelligence. He reminds me a bit of Lewis Hamilton.” A response that surprised him himself, acknowledging that he had never been asked this question before.
According to Steiner, Marc Marquez He possesses a quality found in the very greatest champions. He knows perfectly well when to attack, when to wait, and how to structure his race. He is excellent at positioning himself. knowing when to push, when to slow down et how to effectively manage your public image »
This ability to read a race, to conserve energy before launching a decisive attack, is one of the driver's greatest strengths. DucatiA field in which Lewis Hamilton He too excelled throughout his Formula 1 career.
Steiner also emphasizes another point. For him, the two champions don't just master their machines. They also know how to manage their environment. Communication, media pressure, managing expectations, relationships with teams… all these elements are now an integral part of the job of a top-level driver.
Günther Steiner: " Marc Marquez doesn't handle things like Lewis, because there's no one like Lewis Hamilton »
Marc Marquez, with over ten years spent at the top of MotoGP, has developed this dimension with a maturity that impresses the former head of Haas who adds, however: But nobody is like Lewis »
Steiner thus takes care to qualify his parallel. He doesn't handle things like Lewis, because there's no one like Lewis.. » A way of reminding everyone that the Briton remains a unique figure in Formula 1, both for his achievements and for his influence on the sport.
The comparison therefore does not mean that the two champions are identical. Rather, it highlights shared qualities in race reading, strategic intelligence, and career management.
Analysis of Günter Steiner This is of particular interest. Few leaders have experienced both worlds so closely.
Having spent years accustomed to the demands of Formula 1, he is now discovering MotoGP from a completely different perspective. And what has struck him most goes far beyond lap times. When you watch these riders get on their motorcycles, you see absolute precision and tension. »
He specifically mentions the exceptional physical commitment of MotoGP riders. According to him, even between Grand Prix, they continue intensive training on their motorcycles to maintain their reflexes and physical condition. This constant dedication is something he considers one of the most impressive aspects of the sport.
About the Steiner intervene when Marc Marquez has largely dominated the discussions this season. Beyond the results, the Spaniard has once again become the central figure of the championship. His arrival at Ducati has reignited sporting interest in MotoGP, while his anticipated duel with Peter Acosta The 2027 edition is already fueling all the conversations in the paddock. SteinerThis position goes beyond the simple status of favorite. Marquez is the driver around whom the narrative of the championship now revolves.
Comparing a MotoGP rider to Lewis Hamilton is never insignificant. Beyond the differences between two and four wheels, Günter Steiner highlights what distinguishes the very greatest champions: their ability to think about the race as much as to drive it.
Marc Marquez He no longer simply impresses with his raw talent or legendary aggression. In the eyes of the former Haas boss, he now belongs to that very select category of athletes capable of combining speed, tactical intelligence, and mastery of their environment. It is undoubtedly this evolution that explains why, after so many years at the highest level, Marc Marquez continues to be the absolute benchmark in MotoGP.
