As the 2026 Formula 1 season approaches, significant changes in driver-engineer pairings are unfolding across the grid. Lewis Hamilton, embarking on a new chapter at Ferrari, will begin the season working with race engineer Carlo Santi, marking a notable shift in the close-knit relationship that has defined much of his career. The evolving dynamic between drivers and their race engineers remains a vital factor influencing team performance and driver success in the intensely competitive environment of modern F1.
The Essential Role of Race Engineers in Formula 1
In Formula 1, race engineers serve as the key communicators and strategists who guide drivers throughout race weekends. Acting as the critical conduit between the driver and the team’s tactical decision-makers, they interpret complex data, relay real-time information, and help execute race strategies under immense pressure. With cars pushing speeds beyond 200 mph, race engineers provide drivers with essential updates on lap times, weather conditions, tyre management, and rival performance, enabling split-second decisions that can determine victory or defeat.
Every F1 driver depends on one dedicated race engineer for the entire season. This partnership requires immense trust, a deep understanding of the driver’s style, and seamless communication. Their radio conversations, often heard but seldom seen by fans, form the soundtrack of many pivotal moments in motorsport history. For example, Max Verstappen has benefitted from the steady guidance of Gianpiero Lambiase since 2016, while Peter Bonnington was the familiar voice supporting Lewis Hamilton through an extraordinary 12-year tenure at Mercedes.
McLaren’s Experienced Race Engineering Team
At McLaren, two race engineers continue their work alongside rising talents. Seven years into their collaboration, 2025 world champion Lando Norris relies on the experienced Will Joseph, who also holds the role of McLaren’s director of race engineering. Joseph has a rich legacy with McLaren, joining the team in 2006 and progressing through various technical roles, including servicing prominent drivers like Hamilton and Sergio Pérez, prior to his current position.
Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri’s race engineer, Tom Stallard, has been with McLaren since 2008 and has built a diverse portfolio mentoring drivers such as Jenson Button and Carlos Sainz. Stallard transitioned to engineering after a successful rowing career, notably winning a silver medal with Team GB at the 2008 Olympics.
Mercedes’ New and Familiar Faces in Race Engineering
George Russell, now in his third year at Mercedes, continues to work closely with race engineer Marcus Dudley, who has been part of the Silver Arrows’ squad since 2013. Dudley briefly stepped in for Lewis Hamilton in 2019 and 2022, demonstrating his versatility and experience within the team. His career began as a mathematical modeller at Honda before transitioning through multiple ranks and teams, including Marussia and Brawn GP.
Peter “Bono” Bonnington remains a hallmark figure in F1 race engineering, famous for his 12-year partnership with Lewis Hamilton, during which they secured six world championships together. Since Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for 2026, Bonnington has taken on the role of race engineer for rookie Kimi Antonelli, a promising development for the young driver stepping onto the F1 stage.
Red Bull’s Engineering Stability and New Alliances
At Red Bull Racing, Gianpiero Lambiase, affectionately known as GP, continues to engineer Max Verstappen’s races, maintaining their partnership since 2016 with a relationship marked by intense but effective communication. Lambiase, who has been in Formula 1 since 2005, also assumed the position of Red Bull’s head of racing in 2025, succeeding Jonathan Wheatley.
Isack Hadjar is set to enter his first season at Red Bull’s senior team, working with Richard Wood, who has been with the Milton Keynes-based outfit since 2012. Wood advanced to race engineer duties in 2025 after acting as a performance engineer with drivers like Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson.
Ferrari Introduces a New Chapter for Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari brings a new race engineer partnership for 2026, as Carlo Santi steps into the role previously held by Riccardo Adami. Santi’s background includes work as a model engineer and serving as performance engineer for Kimi Räikkönen during his Ferrari years. Though this pairing is temporary for now, Hamilton is anticipated to eventually collaborate with Cédric Michel-Grosjean, who left McLaren’s performance engineer role last season and is currently in gardening leave.
Charles Leclerc continues to build on his work with Bryan Bozzi, who took over as Leclerc’s race engineer midway through 2024. Bozzi, with a 13-year tenure in F1, has helped Leclerc secure significant victories, including the Monaco Grand Prix in 2025.
Williams’ Continued Growth with Established Pairings
Alex Albon prepares for his fifth season with race engineer James Urwin, a partnership that formed upon Albon’s return to F1 with Williams in 2022. Urwin’s F1 experience dates back to 2014, and he has also worked with drivers like George Russell and Lance Stroll. His racing background spans junior and endurance championships, which have contributed to his engineering acumen.
Carlos Sainz teams up with Gaetan Jego, who brings over 20 years of motorsport expertise. Jego has held senior positions at Williams and earned praise from Sainz, who called him
“the hardest worker I’ve ever worked with in Formula 1.”
The duo achieved impressive results in 2025, including podium finishes that surpassed expectations.
Racing Bulls Adapt for Enhanced Competitiveness
Despite a challenging previous season, Racing Bulls aim to boost performance by adjusting race engineer assignments. Rookie Liam Lawson will join forces with Alexandre Iliopoulos, a team member since the Toro Rosso era, with a history in tyre performance and trackside engineering. Lawson’s former engineer, Ernesto Desiderio, labeled him a “fighter” after a tough year.
Arvid Lindblad’s entry into F1 will be supported by veteran engineer Pierre Hamelin, who has 15 years of experience and a diverse engineering background, including aerospace before his transition to motorsport. Hamelin’s experience has seen him work with drivers like Daniel Ricciardo and Pierre Gasly, providing a strong foundation for aiding Lindblad’s debut season.
Aston Martin Implements Dual Engineer Structures for Lead Drivers
Fernando Alonso’s race engineering team integrates Chris Cronin, stepping up as senior race engineer and chief track engineer, alongside Andrew Vizard, who has worked full-time with Alonso in recent seasons. Cronin, veteran of multiple driver collaborations, has been with the team since 2015, while Vizard’s path includes quality engineering roles at Red Bull and McLaren before joining Aston Martin.
Lance Stroll’s engineering group mirrors this structure with Gary Gannon continuing as his lead race engineer, complemented by Stephen Glass. Gannon joined Aston Martin after a lengthy stint at Haas, and Glass brings seven years of experience, having developed through Fortec Motorsport and the Silverstone team.
Haas Fields Historic and Growing Engineering Talent
Laura Mueller made history in 2025 as the first female race engineer in Formula 1 when she partnered with Esteban Ocon. Mueller’s background includes extensive experience in sportscar and junior formulae, such as the World Endurance Championship, before her rise at Haas from simulation work to trackside engineering.
Oliver Bearman retains Ronan O’Hare as his race engineer for the upcoming season. O’Hare’s career spans more than 15 years across multiple teams, bringing a wealth of knowledge that supports Bearman’s progression in F1.
Audi’s Transition Brings Consistency to Driver Support
As Sauber evolves into Audi, drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto maintain continuity by retaining their 2025 race engineers, Steven Petrik and Jose Manuel Lopez, respectively. Petrik’s journey began with Ferrari’s engineering academy, progressing to performance engineer roles before joining Sauber. Lopez’s experience includes work with McLaren and numerous drivers, including Lando Norris and Kevin Magnussen.
Alpine Assumes New Pairings for Emerging Drivers
Pierre Gasly will begin 2026 with new race engineer Josh Peckett, who has experience working with Esteban Ocon and has been with Alpine’s predecessor teams since 2013. Franco Colapinto continues alongside Stuart Barlow, who brings broad endurance racing accolades including victories at Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500.
Cadillac Enters F1 with Experienced Engineering Talent
In its Formula 1 debut, Cadillac reunites Sergio Perez with Carlo Pasetti, adding familiarity to the new venture. Pasetti was instrumental in Perez’s initial F1 victory and continues to lend his expertise in the race engineer role. Valtteri Bottas, meanwhile, will join Cadillac with race engineer John Howard, who transitions from Alpine after a 14-year career including stints mentoring Pierre Gasly.
The Evolving Landscape and Its Impact on Championship Prospects
The shifting alliances between drivers and race engineers heading into the 2026 season underscore the sport’s relentless pursuit of competitive advantage. For Lewis Hamilton, working initially with Carlo Santi at Ferrari represents both a fresh challenge and a pivotal step in adapting to a new team environment. The reassignment of long-standing engineers, such as Peter Bonnington’s move to guide rookie Kimi Antonelli, reflects teams’ strategic repositioning to optimize talent utilization.
With race engineers playing an indispensable role in interpreting data, managing tire degradation, and executing strategy in real time, these relationships are often the unsung factors behind podiums and championships. As teams navigate new regulations and intensified competition, the effectiveness of driver-engineer partnerships will likely prove crucial in determining the outcome of the 2026 Formula 1 season and beyond.
“I’m just very proud to be able to work with someone that good.”
?Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing driver
“the hardest worker I’ve ever worked with in Formula 1”
?Carlos Sainz, Ferrari driver
“fighter”
?Ernesto Desiderio, Race Engineer, Racing Bulls
