Ferrari’s handling of Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer situation has taken another unexpected twist, with the Scuderia reportedly opting for continuity rather than immediate change ahead of the Miami Grand Prix—raising fresh questions about stability inside the team during the 2026 Formula 1 season.
As Ferrari prepared for the 2026 campaign, it had already been confirmed that Riccardo Adami would no longer continue as Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer. The decision followed a challenging first year together, during which communication issues and visible tension over team radio suggested that the working relationship between the seven-time world champion and the experienced Italian engineer had not fully developed as expected.
Throughout that difficult debut season with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton had appeared to experience several moments of frustration, particularly during high-pressure race situations. These exchanges highlighted the importance of a strong driver-engineer partnership in modern Formula 1, where split-second decisions and mutual understanding can define race outcomes.
In response, Ferrari moved Riccardo Adami into a different role within the organization and identified Cedric Grosjean as the long-term replacement. Cedric Grosjean arrived with a strong technical background, having previously worked at McLaren as performance engineer to Oscar Piastri, making him a highly regarded addition to Ferrari’s engineering structure.
However, due to contractual obligations and a period of gardening leave, Cedric Grosjean was not immediately available at the start of the season. As a result, the Maranello team appointed Carlo Santi as an interim solution, with the expectation that he would oversee Lewis Hamilton’s race operations for only a limited number of races.
During the early stages of the season, speculation quickly emerged that Cedric Grosjean would step into the role in time for the Miami Grand Prix, especially given the extended break in the Formula 1 calendar that seemed to provide the perfect window for a transition.
Ferrari opt for continuity despite expectations of change
Despite those expectations, recent reports indicate that Ferrari have chosen to maintain stability for now. Carlo Santi is set to continue working as Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer at the Miami Grand Prix, suggesting that the team is prioritizing short-term consistency over immediate restructuring.
Although Carlo Santi had initially been described as a temporary solution, Ferrari have reportedly not established a clear timeline for when Cedric Grosjean will officially take over. This lack of a defined transition plan adds another layer of uncertainty to an already delicate situation.
From a performance perspective, continuity can often be crucial, particularly during a tightly contested championship where even minor disruptions can impact results. For Lewis Hamilton, maintaining a stable communication channel on the pit wall could prove more valuable than introducing changes mid-season, even if a long-term solution has already been identified.
Lewis Hamilton wary of mid-season disruption
Earlier in the year, the Briton had openly acknowledged that a mid-season change in race engineer could complicate his adaptation process within Ferrari. He indicated that the situation was not ideal, especially given that the current arrangement with Carlo Santi was never intended to be permanent.
Lewis Hamilton explained that having a short-term solution early in the season would inevitably lead to another adjustment later on, requiring him to build a new working relationship from scratch. He suggested that such a transition could be detrimental to his overall performance, as it would interrupt the continuity that drivers typically rely on to extract maximum results.
The British driver also emphasized that in a season as demanding as 2026, it would be preferable to work with a team that has already developed strong cohesion over multiple years. According to Lewis Hamilton, long-term collaboration helps create resilience and composure during difficult moments, which are essential qualities in a championship campaign.
Despite these concerns, the seven-time F1 world champion acknowledged that the situation was beyond his control and indicated that he would focus on delivering the best possible results. He also noted that Ferrari were making efforts to ensure that any eventual transition would be as smooth as possible, minimizing disruption to performance.
Ferrari face crucial decision for Lewis Hamilton’s title ambitions
While Ferrari’s cautious approach may provide short-term stability, the team will eventually need to make a definitive decision regarding Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer if they aim to sustain their competitive momentum throughout the season.
Lewis Hamilton’s start to the 2026 Formula 1 campaign has been encouraging, reinforcing expectations that he can play a major role in the title fight alongside teammate Charles Leclerc. However, in such a competitive environment, operational clarity and internal cohesion are just as important as outright car performance.
With increasing attention on Lewis Hamilton’s performances and his integration within Ferrari, ensuring that he is supported by a fully aligned and stable engineering team will be critical. Any prolonged uncertainty could risk undermining the progress made so far and limit Ferrari’s ability to maximize results across the remainder of the season.
As the Miami Grand Prix approaches, the Italian side’s decision to delay the transition may buy valuable time—but it also increases the pressure to get the final call absolutely right.