Former Formula 1 driver Ivan Capelli has expressed surprise over Ferrari’s hesitation in officially naming Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer, a move that is drawing attention ahead of the 2026 season. Speaking to Sky Italia, Capelli highlighted that while Ferrari appears well-positioned to contend strongly in 2026, the absence of clarity concerning Hamilton’s pitwall support team is unusual.
Capelli’s Perspective on Ferrari’s Competitive Outlook
Capelli shared confidence in Ferrari’s competitiveness and Hamilton’s determination after a challenging year.
“I believe Ferrari is competitive. I expect them to compete with the best,”
he said. He added that Hamilton remains eager to take risks and is motivated to bounce back after a difficult season.
“I think Lewis is still willing to take risks. He had a bad year, and he knows it. He’s hungry for a comeback. I don’t imagine he’ll end his career badly.”
However, Capelli found it strange that the appointment of Hamilton’s race engineer, who will succeed Riccardo Adami, has not yet been officially announced.
“However, I find it odd that his race engineer, replacing Riccardo Adami, hasn’t been named yet. It might be a matter of time, but some things need to be announced in advance.”
Temporary Race Engineer Support and Hamilton’s Initial Test Feedback
During early testing this week in Barcelona, Hamilton’s sessions have been overseen on a temporary basis by Brian Bozzi, who typically serves as Charles Leclerc’s race engineer, reflecting Ferrari’s ongoing process to finalize its long-term team structure. Hamilton completed his first significant laps in the new 2026 car under wet conditions on Tuesday, offering measured but hopeful comments.
“We didn’t have any major problems, and that gives us a good base to continue learning and building on over the next two days,”
Hamilton said. He added cautious optimism about the new car’s characteristics, stating,
“I don’t want to say too much yet, because it’s difficult to know. I’ve only driven in the rain, and there’s much less downforce than last year.”
Implications of the Delay and What It Means for Ferrari
Ferrari has yet to reveal when the permanent race engineer for Hamilton will be named, raising questions about the team’s readiness to support their seven-time world champion fully as the new season approaches. The delay could reflect internal decisions related to the optimal setup of Hamilton’s support circle or other strategic considerations. How Ferrari resolves this will be closely watched, as it may influence Hamilton’s performance and the team’s ability to compete at the highest level in 2026.
