Lewis Hamilton could be working with a new race engineer by the time the 2026 Formula 1 season resumes in Miami. The British driver’s temporary collaboration with Carlo Santi, who was appointed on an interim basis following Riccardo Adami’s reassignment over the winter, may soon conclude after the Japanese Grand Prix.
Carlo Santi, who previously worked with Kimi Raikkonen, helped Lewis Hamilton secure his first podium for Ferrari earlier this season. However, Ferrari is reportedly preparing for a transition, with Cedric Michel-Grosjean emerging as a strong candidate to take over Hamilton’s race engineering duties. The French engineer, who recently arrived from McLaren where he worked closely with Oscar Piastri, has been spotted wearing Ferrari team gear, hinting at a formal integration into the Scuderia’s pit wall.
Cedric Michel-Grosjean expected to start with Lewis Hamilton in Miami
Michel-Grosjean’s initial role was reportedly observational, allowing him to familiarize himself with Lewis Hamilton’s driving style and Ferrari’s internal procedures. He monitored Carlo Santi and the rest of the Briton’s engineering team during the opening rounds in Australia, China, and Japan, ensuring he would be fully prepared to step into the lead pitwall position.
The original plan had Michel-Grosjean debuting at the Bahrain Grand Prix, but the cancellation of the Middle Eastern races due to regional conflicts has adjusted the timeline. While this shift delays his first competitive appearance, it also provides additional time for Michel-Grosjean to work closely with Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari’s Maranello factory and fully understand the team’s operational methods before heading into Miami.
Despite a challenging race at the Japanese Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton finished sixth, he has enjoyed a positive start to the season, amassing 41 points and sitting fourth in the championship standings. The seven-time F1 world champion described the Suzuka race as difficult, mainly due to power deployment issues with his Ferrari power unit, but his performance remains consistent and competitive.
Lewis Hamilton’s communication style underlines importance of precise engineering
During the Japanese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton expressed clear frustration over team radio regarding his car’s performance and strategy execution. While his remarks may have appeared sharp at times, they were not indicative of personal issues with Carlo Santi. Instead, they reflect the Briton’s focus on detailed and structured communication with his engineers.
Lewis Hamilton asked for guidance on specific sections of the track, emphasizing the need to understand exactly where he could improve. He requested precise breakdowns of weaker points on the lap and evaluated corner performance under safety car conditions. This level of attention to detail underlines the critical role of a race engineer in interpreting data and relaying actionable instructions during high-pressure scenarios.
Cedric Michel-Grosjean, who helped develop Oscar Piastri into one of Formula 1’s most competitive drivers at McLaren, will face his first opportunity in a lead pitwall role. Observing Lewis Hamilton’s radio interactions and understanding his communication preferences will be crucial for Michel-Grosjean as he prepares to guide the seven-time world champion in the upcoming Miami Grand Prix.
As Ferrari continues to refine their engineering support and optimize race strategy, the partnership between Lewis Hamilton and his potential new race engineer could play a key role in the team’s pursuit of championship points and podium finishes throughout the 2026 season.
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