Lewis Hamilton could finally have a new race engineer for the Miami Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton’s short-term partnership with Carlo Santi at Ferrari appears to be nearing its conclusion, with a new race engineer potentially stepping in when the season resumes in Miami.

After reassigning Hamilton’s planned 2025 engineer Riccardo Adami over the winter, Ferrari placed Santi alongside the seven-time world champion on an interim basis. While the Scuderia has not formally announced a replacement, Cedric Michel-Grosjean has already been spotted in Ferrari attire following his late move from McLaren, where he previously worked with Oscar Piastri.

Transition delayed, not derailed

At the start of the season, it was reported that Michel-Grosjean would initially observe Santi and Hamilton’s engineering group to familiarise himself with Ferrari’s internal processes. The plan was for him to shadow operations in Australia, China and Japan before stepping into the lead role.

Originally, that timeline pointed to a debut in Bahrain. However, the cancellation of the upcoming Middle Eastern races due to regional conflict has reshaped the schedule. As a result, Michel-Grosjean is now expected to begin his partnership with Hamilton in Miami instead.

The delay may ultimately work in Ferrari’s favour. It offers additional time for Michel-Grosjean to integrate at Maranello and build rapport with Hamilton before their first competitive outing together.

Japan: more frustration and less communication

Hamilton’s sixth-place finish at Suzuka — a race he described as “terrible” — underlined both the challenges and the progress of his early Ferrari tenure. Despite his dissatisfaction on Sunday, the broader picture remains solid: 41 points and fourth place in the championship standings represent a steady start.

In Japan, Hamilton repeatedly voiced concerns about a perceived lack of deployment from his Ferrari power unit. His frustration was evident over team radio, culminating in a pointed exchange:

“You want me to push? I don’t understand what you want me to do.”

During the safety car period, he pressed for more detailed feedback:

“Lead me through the lap where I was weak… at the end I was much better, like how was the last chicane for example.”

The exchanges offered a clear insight into Hamilton’s expectations. He demands constant, precise and highly structured communication — a working style that any race engineer must quickly adapt to.

While the Suzuka radio traffic suggested tension, there is little to indicate a personal issue with Santi. After all, the Italian engineer oversaw Hamilton’s first Ferrari podium in China earlier this season.

A defining opportunity for Michel-Grosjean

Michel-Grosjean arrives with strong credentials, having contributed to Piastri’s rise into one of the grid’s most formidable competitors at McLaren. However, this marks his first appointment in the lead pitwall role.

If Miami does mark the beginning of a new chapter, Japan’s transcript may serve as essential homework. Understanding how Hamilton processes information — and how he expects it to be delivered — will be critical.

Ferrari’s early-season engineer reshuffle was always likely to attract scrutiny. Now, with the timeline shifting once more, the focus turns to whether this recalibrated partnership can unlock the consistency Hamilton is clearly demanding.