Ferrari Set to Gamble on ‘Special Talent’ as Lewis Hamilton’s 2026 Race Engineer

Ferrari appears ready to take a calculated gamble as it prepares for the all-important 2026 Formula 1 season, with reports suggesting the Scuderia has identified McLaren engineer Cedric-Michel Grosjean as Lewis Hamilton’s new race engineer. If confirmed, the move would mark one of the boldest personnel decisions of Hamilton’s illustrious career—and a significant risk for Ferrari at a time of sweeping regulation changes.

Why Ferrari Is Replacing Riccardo Adami

Hamilton’s first season in red in 2025 was far from smooth. His working relationship with race engineer Riccardo Adami, who previously partnered with Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz, became increasingly strained. Tense radio exchanges—most notably during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix—highlighted a breakdown in communication that ultimately prompted Ferrari to reshuffle its engineering structure.

Adami is expected to move into a different role within the team, leaving Hamilton searching for a new voice on the pit wall as Ferrari resets for 2026.

Cedric-Michel Grosjean: A High-Risk, High-Reward Choice

According to Sky Sports journalist Craig Slater and corroborated by Italian media, Cedric-Michel Grosjean is “Ferrari-bound” following his departure from McLaren in December. Grosjean worked closely with Oscar Piastri as a senior performance engineer and was credited with helping the Australian extract maximum performance from data and simulations.

What makes the appointment controversial is that Grosjean has never served as a race engineer in Formula 1. Handing such responsibility to a first-timer—especially alongside a seven-time world champion—underscores Ferrari’s belief that he is a “special talent” capable of rising quickly.

Stopgap Solutions Ahead of the Big Decision

In the short term, Ferrari is expected to rely on interim arrangements. Reports suggest Carlo Santi, a former race engineer to Kimi Räikkönen, will work with Hamilton during pre-season testing in Barcelona, supported by Charles Leclerc’s engineer Bryan Bozzi. This temporary setup allows Ferrari time to complete Grosjean’s onboarding once his gardening leave expires.

A Crucial Year for Hamilton and Ferrari

The stakes could hardly be higher. Lewis Hamilton endured what many consider the worst season of his career in 2025, failing to score a single podium for the first time. At 41, the Briton is determined to prove he can still fight at the front under F1’s radical 2026 regulations.

Encouragingly for Ferrari fans, Hamilton has spent significant time at Maranello over the winter—echoing the work ethic of Michael Schumacher during Ferrari’s dominant era. Team insiders say the champion looks reinvigorated, motivated by a fresh start and the promise of a new technical partnership.

Ferrari’s decision to potentially entrust Hamilton to an untested race engineer is a risk—but also a statement. In a season expected to reshape the competitive order, innovation and bold thinking may be just as important as experience.

Whether Cedric-Michel Grosjean becomes the catalyst for Ferrari’s first drivers’ title since 2007 remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: 2026 will define the final chapter of Lewis Hamilton’s career—and Ferrari is willing to gamble big to make it a winning one.