Ferrari has made a new addition to its engineering team who will work alongside Technical Director Loic Serra on the development of the SF-26. Here’s a closer look at the new hire and the role he will play at the Maranello-based team.
The Scuderia Ferrari continues its ongoing transformation, actively acquiring engineering talent from other teams. Within GeS, another addition has joined to support Loic Serra in the SF-26 development program. This move underscores Ferrari’s commitment to strengthening its technical operations and ensuring the car is fully prepared for the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season.
Yesterday, attention focused on the appointment of Lewis Hamilton’s new race engineer following the departure of Riccardo Adami. Adami will now manage the Ferrari Driver Academy and TPC tests conducted with older cars. Rumors suggested that his exit was partly driven by Hamilton’s preferences, though it seems the Italian engineer simply wished to reduce his travel and not attend every race. During the Barcelona tests, beginning for Ferrari on Tuesday, January 27, Hamilton will be assisted by Carlo Santi, with support from Bryan Bozzi. This arrangement will continue through the Bahrain tests, while Michael Grosjean, arriving from McLaren’s garage, specifically from Oscar Piastri’s team, is expected to make his debut in Australia. However, the latest addition to Maranello deserves a closer look.
Serra will have the support of Dezoteux. The 2026 season promises to be pivotal for Fred Vasseur and his team. The Team Principal has entrusted the project to Loic Serra, who assumes the role of Technical Director for the first time in his career. The launch-spec SF-26 already shows a highly detailed approach to both aerodynamic and mechanical solutions. Notably, the car features the return of the pull-rod suspension layout at both the front and rear. Continuous development will be crucial under the new regulations, and Ferrari must remain competitive. Fred Vasseur is implementing changes across the team, including talent transfers from the WEC, but communication between the Remote Garage, the track, and the simulator also needs improvement.
Clear responsibilities are essential for effective team operation. According to the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, Serra will now be supported by Guillaume Dezoteux, a French engineer who joins from Racing Bulls, where he served as Head of Performance. Dezoteux graduated from the University of Paris in 2006 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He immediately joined Toro Rosso, which later evolved into Red Bull Racing. Over the past years, he held a senior position where his primary focus was working closely with drivers to optimize overall car performance. His expertise will now be applied at Ferrari, assisting Serra in refining the SF-26 and ensuring the team remains on top of development throughout the 2026 season.
Guillaume Dezoteux’s experience in driver-focused performance engineering could be a significant asset to Ferrari. His role will involve bridging the gap between technical development and real-world track feedback, a critical function in a season that introduces major regulatory changes. Observers will be watching closely to see how his contributions influence the SF-26’s competitiveness and how effectively the collaboration with Loic Serra and the rest of the technical team translates into on-track results.
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