Ferrari reportedly made a U-turn on Lewis Hamilton’s new race engineer
Ferrari have reportedly made a key decision regarding Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer situation as the Formula 1 paddock looks ahead to the Miami Grand Prix.
With the 2026 season already presenting its own challenges and adjustments, stability on the pit wall is fast becoming a central talking point in Hamilton’s campaign.
Adami’s exit and a fresh start
Heading into the 2026 Formula 1 season, it was confirmed that Riccardo Adami would no longer serve as Hamilton’s race engineer. The move followed what was described as a difficult first year together at Ferrari, during which Hamilton and Adami appeared to clash on multiple occasions over team radio.
The pair struggled to build a consistent working relationship, prompting Ferrari to shift Adami into a different role within the team structure.
In response, Ferrari reportedly selected Cedric Grosjean as Hamilton’s new race engineer. Grosjean previously worked at McLaren, where he served as Oscar Piastri’s performance engineer. However, due to gardening leave, Grosjean has not yet been able to step into the role trackside.
Carlo Santi to continue in Miami
At the start of the season, Carlo Santi was appointed as Hamilton’s interim race engineer, with Grosjean unavailable. While Santi was initially labelled a short-term solution, speculation during Formula 1’s extended break suggested that Grosjean could assume the role at the Miami Grand Prix.
According to Planet F1, however, that change will not yet take place. Santi is set to remain Hamilton’s race engineer for Miami, despite earlier expectations of a handover.
It has also been suggested that Ferrari currently have “no defined timeline” for transitioning from Santi to Grosjean, leaving the situation open-ended for now.
Hamilton’s concerns over mid-season disruption
Earlier in the year, Hamilton acknowledged that switching race engineers mid-season could prove disruptive to his campaign.
“It’s actually quite a difficult period, because it (Santi’s appointment) is not long term. The solution that I currently have, it’s only going to be a few races,” he said.
“So early on into the season, it’s going to be switching up again and I’ll have to learn to work with someone new, so that’s detrimental to me.”
Hamilton also underlined the value of continuity, particularly in a season where strong foundations are crucial.
“A season [like 2026 is] where you want to arrive with people that have done multiple seasons, that have been through thick and thin and calm. But it is the situation that I’m faced with and I’ll try and do the best I can. I think the team is trying to do the best they can to make it as seamless as possible.”
A decision Ferrari cannot delay
Despite Santi’s interim label, Ferrari’s reported decision to keep him in place for Miami suggests the team are prioritising short-term stability. Yet with Hamilton enjoying a promising start to the 2026 campaign, clarity will become increasingly important.
With scrutiny firmly on the seven-time world champion’s performances, Ferrari must ensure he is supported by a settled and effective engineering structure. The longer uncertainty lingers, the greater the potential impact on momentum.
For now, Santi remains on the radio. But the longer-term direction of Hamilton’s race engineering partnership remains one of Ferrari’s most significant calls of the season.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.