Ferrari announce internal promotion with new composites chief appointed. Ferrari appoint Juan Sebastian Navarro as new head of composites in an internal promotion.

There is a new addition at Ferrari, with an internal promotion: who he is and what role he will take on

Scuderia Ferrari have confirmed a new engineering appointment, with an internal promotion bringing fresh responsibility within the Maranello-based team. The technician steps into a more senior role, replacing a colleague who has moved to the Hypersail project. Here’s who he is and what this means for Ferrari’s ongoing technical reshuffle.

The Scuderia continue to strengthen their structure while refining the internal organisation gradually shaped by Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur. Ferrari have opted to promote from within, selecting a familiar figure to replace a departing colleague reassigned to the Hypersail department.

In recent months, the team have welcomed a significant number of engineers, both from rival Formula 1 outfits and through internal restructuring. The Prancing Horse has deliberately encouraged greater collaboration between its Formula 1 and World Endurance Championship (WEC) divisions, particularly following the Hypercar programme’s double world title success. Vasseur has initiated a major overhaul that has seen several key figures depart and new arrivals step in.

The latest external addition to Maranello was Guillaume Dezoteux, the French engineer previously Head of Performance at Racing Bulls. Since February 2, he has been operational in the role of Head of Performance Operations. Now, attention turns to the latest ‘internal’ promotion, effectively creating another key addition to Ferrari’s technical line-up.

Internal promotion at Ferrari: new head of composites appointed

Juan Sebastian Navarro has been named the new Head of Composites Design. He succeeds John Lockwood, who was reassigned to the Hypersail project after leaving his previous position in January. Navarro’s promotion comes after more than a decade within the Scuderia, having joined Ferrari back in 2014.

In a sport like Formula 1, where every milligram counts, materials and composite design are absolutely critical. The restructuring of Ferrari’s organisational chart therefore continues, reflecting a broader strategic approach aimed at increasing the exchange of know-how and technical expertise between departments.

The Hypersail sailing project carries strong technical influences from Formula 1, and the knowledge transfer works both ways. With the new regulations now in force, Ferrari’s WEC department can provide valuable support to F1 engineers, particularly in the complex management of hybrid systems and electrical energy deployment.

On track, the team have made a solid start, fielding an SF-26 that has proven reliable and allowed Fred Vasseur’s squad to complete the full development programme. It is also the first Ferrari designed under the technical direction of Loïc Serra. The Scuderia have not hesitated to explore the grey areas of the regulations, pushing aerodynamic concepts to the limit.

Diego Tondi has already outlined the depth of the changes introduced, but developments such as the 270-degree “inverted” rear wing concept and the FTM winglet on the diffuser highlight Ferrari’s commitment to implementing bold and original ideas. The internal promotion of Navarro fits squarely into this wider plan: building a more integrated, technically aggressive Ferrari capable of fighting at the front in the new regulatory era.