BREAKING: Ferrari Identify Former Oscar Piastri Engineer as Leading Candidate for…. Read more

Ferrari Identify Former Oscar Piastri Engineer as Leading Candidate for Lewis Hamilton Role

 

By Hugo Harvey

January 25, 2026

 

Ferrari have begun a critical search for a new race engineer to work alongside Lewis Hamilton in the 2026 Formula 1 season, and a clear frontrunner has now emerged. The Scuderia reportedly view former McLaren engineer Cedric Michel-Grosjean as the “most credible” candidate to replace Riccardo Adami, marking a significant potential shift in Hamilton’s technical support structure as Ferrari prepare for the new era of regulations.

 

Hamilton’s partnership with Ferrari has been one of the most anticipated narratives in modern Formula 1, but his first year with the Italian team has not been without challenges. Earlier in January, Ferrari confirmed that Riccardo Adami had moved into a new role within the organisation, taking responsibility for the Ferrari Driver Academy and the team’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme. The decision came after it became clear that Adami and Hamilton struggled to establish the deep rapport that is often essential between a driver and race engineer.

 

Adami’s previous experience with Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz had shaped his working style, one built around drivers known for their analytical approach and calm communication. Hamilton, however, brings a different emotional and psychological dynamic to the cockpit, often requiring a more nuanced level of support and interaction during race weekends. The contrast in working methods led to several tense radio exchanges across the season, highlighting the growing disconnect between driver and engineer.

 

With Adami stepping aside, Ferrari have been left without an obvious internal successor. Unlike some teams that cultivate long-term engineering partnerships, Ferrari’s current technical structure does not present a clear candidate ready to step into such a high-pressure role. As a result, the team have opted for an interim solution while continuing their search for a permanent appointment.

 

During the official 2026 shakedown test in Barcelona from January 26 to 30, Hamilton will work with Charles Leclerc’s race engineer Bryan Bozzi, as Ferrari plan to run one car at a time during the session. Carlo Santi, another experienced figure within the Ferrari engineering group, will also contribute to Hamilton’s programme in Spain, providing continuity and technical stability during a crucial phase of preparation for the new regulations.

 

However, despite Santi’s experience, Ferrari do not believe he represents the ideal long-term solution for Hamilton. The team’s leadership reportedly want a figure who can not only deliver technical excellence but also build a strong personal and strategic connection with the seven-time world champion. That requirement has led them to consider several external candidates, with Cedric Michel-Grosjean emerging as the leading option.

 

Michel-Grosjean spent eight years at McLaren and worked closely with Oscar Piastri, playing a key role in the Australian’s rise to the top of Formula 1. As McLaren’s lead trackside performance engineer, he was directly involved in Piastri’s technical development and strategic execution during his title-contending campaign in 2025. His reputation within the paddock has grown steadily, with many insiders viewing him as one of the most technically astute and adaptable engineers of his generation.

 

Ferrari’s interest in Michel-Grosjean reflects a broader shift in their approach. Rather than relying solely on internal promotions, the team appear willing to import expertise from rival organisations in order to maximise Hamilton’s potential during what could be the defining phase of his Ferrari career. Yet any move will not be immediate. Michel-Grosjean is currently serving a period of gardening leave following his departure from McLaren in December, meaning he may not be able to join Ferrari for between three and six months.

 

In the meantime, Ferrari plan to lean on Luca Diella as a liaison figure between Hamilton and the engineering department. Diella’s role will be to ensure communication flows smoothly and that Hamilton’s feedback is effectively integrated into the team’s technical direction until a permanent race engineer is appointed.

 

One option Ferrari have decisively ruled out is a reunion between Hamilton and his long-time Mercedes engineer Peter Bonnington. Bonnington, widely known as “Bono,” played a central role in Hamilton’s success during his years at Mercedes and was often credited with shaping the driver’s race-day execution and emotional balance. However, Ferrari see no realistic path to lure Bonnington away from Mercedes, where he now works with rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli and serves as the team’s head of race engineering.

 

The search for Hamilton’s new race engineer comes at a pivotal moment for Ferrari. The 2026 regulations represent a major technical reset for Formula 1, and the team believe they have an opportunity to return to championship contention after years of near misses. For Hamilton, the identity of his race engineer could prove decisive in determining how effectively he adapts to Ferrari’s philosophy and how successfully he can challenge for titles in the latter stages of his career.

 

If Michel-Grosjean ultimately joins Ferrari, the appointment would symbolise more than just a personnel change. It would represent a strategic commitment to building a modern, driver-centric engineering partnership tailored to Hamilton’s unique needs. As Ferrari continue to evaluate their options, the coming months could shape not only Hamilton’s future but also the direction of the Scuderia in the new Formula 1 era.

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