Ferrari has hired a new figure who will be present in the pit boxes of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in 2026: here’s what their role will be and why it’s so important.
The Scuderia is preparing for a major transformation in 2026 with the arrival of the new generation of cars. Ferrari will indeed add a new specialist to the team who will support both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton directly in the pits.
After the recent chaos caused by Mercedes’ potential illegal solution, there is significant attention on the performance benchmarks for the 2026 season. The power unit is expected to be a key component, particularly due to the significant management required for the battery. The fact that the PU’s power will be divided equally between internal combustion and electric drive presents a challenge all engine manufacturers will need to overcome. Early tests in Barcelona will be especially useful for Ferrari to accumulate mileage and understand the performance and optimization of the hybrid system. Fred Vasseur has already confirmed that another version of the car will arrive in Bahrain, with multiple aerodynamic and mechanical updates. Now, however, Ferrari has hired a more specialized figure to support this effort.
Ferrari and the new ERS engineer for energy management
According to AutoRacer.it, the Italian team has hired an ERS engineer to assist both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in managing the more complex aspects of the power unit, particularly related to “electric strategy.” Naturally, other teams will also have similar specialists to ensure optimal performance during different phases of a race. The drivers will have more central control and “power” behind the wheel, but they still require dedicated technical support.
Even the Ferrari Team Principal believes that this addition will allow his two drivers to play a more prominent role: “In 2026, we will experience for the first time a radical change affecting chassis, power unit, and even sporting regulations and energy usage. Many aspects can be practiced on the simulator over long hours, though I believe the real challenge is difficult to replicate: the fight on track. Learning quickly in the first races how to manage energy will be essential, and this is a responsibility of the drivers.”
After all, Ferrari must return to winning ways, but without a competitive car, even top drivers like Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will be limited in what they can achieve.
The introduction of a specialized ERS engineer highlights just how technical the 2026 “energy war” will become, placing a premium on the synergy between the garage and the cockpit. By providing Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton with dedicated support for electrical strategy, Ferrari is betting that superior energy management will be the key to breaking their long title drought and finally matching the efficiency of their rivals.
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