Ferrari is reportedly looking to recruit a senior figure from McLaren to serve as the race engineer for Lewis Hamilton, following the recent reassignment of Riccardo Adami. Adami, previously Hamilton’s race engineer, was moved to lead Ferrari’s Academy and TPC testing programs. Hamilton has lacked a dedicated race engineer since this change, heightening concerns about the communication between driver and team as the new season approaches.
Current Team Changes and Interim Arrangements
Hamilton reportedly had limited chemistry with Adami, and this strained relationship contributed to Ferrari’s decision to shift his role. With the start of the season drawing near, the team urgently needs to fill this crucial position, especially given Hamilton’s strong motivation to improve after a disappointing debut year with Ferrari.
In the meantime, Ferrari plans to rely partly on Carlo Santi, a former race engineer for Kimi Räikkönen, working on a part-time basis. Santi is remembered for a famous radio message to Räikkönen,
“You will not have the drink.”
Additionally, Bryan Bozzi, who is Charles Leclerc’s race engineer, will step in as Hamilton’s interim race engineer during pre-season testing.
Potential Candidate From McLaren: Cedric-Michel Grosjean
According to Italian media Corriere dello Sport, Ferrari is
“waiting for a new figure to come, it seems, from McLaren.”
The likely candidate is Cedric-Michel Grosjean, formerly McLaren’s Lead Trackside Performance Engineer. Grosjean left McLaren at the end of last year and is currently on a career break, though he has recently engaged with posts related to Ferrari’s current car.
If hired, Grosjean would step into an unfamiliar yet pivotal role, marking a significant career shift. His experience at McLaren positions him well for the technical demands of working closely with Hamilton in race situations.
Implications for Hamilton and Ferrari’s 2026 Campaign
The search for a new race engineer reflects Ferrari’s urgent desire to create a strong support system for Lewis Hamilton as he aims to rebound from his challenging first season with the Scuderia. Establishing a solid engineer-driver relationship is critical for success in Formula 1, especially given Hamilton’s determination to contend for the championship.
With these staffing changes still unfolding, the early part of the 2026 campaign could reveal how quickly Ferrari adapts its strategy and communication to maximize Hamilton’s potential alongside his teammate Charles Leclerc.
