Could Ferrari be preparing another change within Lewis Hamilton’s side of the garage? Recent reports suggest that the Scuderia may soon adjust the structure surrounding the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, particularly regarding the role of race engineer.
Hamilton has repeatedly spoken positively about his current working relationship with Carlo Santi, but speculation continues to grow over whether Ferrari’s long-term plans could eventually see a different figure take over communication duties with the British driver.
How Ferrari arrived at its current setup
It is no secret that the 2025 season proved challenging for Lewis Hamilton, both in terms of on-track performance and communication within the team.
His partnership with Riccardo Adami eventually came to an end due to a combination of factors, including a lack of chemistry and Adami’s desire to move into a position with fewer responsibilities inside the Maranello organization.
Ferrari subsequently recruited Michael Cedric-Grosjean from McLaren. The French engineer had previously worked within Oscar Piastri’s side of the garage, focusing on vehicle performance and engineering operations.
While Ferrari evaluated its long-term structure, the team placed Carlo Santi alongside Hamilton on an interim basis. Santi, best known for previously serving as Kimi Räikkönen’s race engineer, quickly became a familiar voice on Hamilton’s radio.
The arrangement has worked well so far, raising questions about whether Ferrari really needs to make further changes.
Strong progress in Canada strengthens Carlo Santi’s position
The Canadian Grand Prix provided further evidence that the collaboration between Hamilton and Ferrari’s engineering group is moving in the right direction.
Throughout the Montreal weekend, Lewis Hamilton appeared comfortable with the car and explained after the race that he had found a setup direction that allowed him to unlock more performance from the SF-26. The British driver suggested that new mechanical solutions and setup ideas helped him maximize his pace, all without relying on simulator work.
Communication also appeared significantly smoother than earlier in his Ferrari career.
According to reports, Santi has earned Hamilton’s trust thanks to his clear instructions and effective communication style. For a driver who has always placed enormous importance on the relationship with his race engineer, that connection could prove crucial over the remainder of the season. As things stand, Santi is expected to remain Hamilton’s race engineer during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend.
Barcelona could bring a new chapter
Despite the positive signs, reports from AutoRacer.it suggest that Ferrari’s longer-term plans may still involve Michael Cedric-Grosjean taking on a more prominent role.
According to the report, it would not be surprising to see Cedric-Grosjean make his debut in a new capacity during the Barcelona weekend, potentially beginning in the free practice sessions.
Whether such a move eventually materializes may depend on how Ferrari evaluates Hamilton’s recent performances. The Canadian Grand Prix saw the Briton outperform Charles Leclerc, although Montreal has historically not been one of the Monegasque driver’s strongest circuits.
The upcoming races will therefore provide a clearer indication of whether Lewis Hamilton’s pace advantage in Canada was track-specific or whether the seven-time world champion has genuinely found a breakthrough with the SF-26.
Many observers believe that, given Hamilton’s unique working style and the importance he places on communication, Ferrari may benefit from maintaining continuity rather than introducing further changes. Stability has often been a key ingredient in successful driver-engineer partnerships, and the early signs suggest that Hamilton and Santi are building exactly that.
For now, Monaco will offer the next opportunity to assess the situation, while Barcelona could reveal whether Ferrari is truly considering a significant change within Lewis Hamilton’s side of the garage.
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