Lewis Hamilton Faces Uncertainty as Ferrari Enter Pre-Season Testing Without a Dedicated Race Engineer
With Formula 1 pre-season testing just days away, Lewis Hamilton is preparing to take his first meaningful laps of Ferrari’s 2026 challenger amid growing concerns over the team’s internal organisation. Despite the confirmation that Riccardo Adami will no longer serve as Hamilton’s race engineer, Ferrari have yet to announce a permanent replacement — a situation that has raised eyebrows across the paddock.
Attention initially shifted to who might step into one of the most influential roles in Hamilton’s career, though it was quickly ruled out that his former Mercedes engineer Peter Bonnington would make a sensational reunion. Now, with testing in Barcelona looming, it appears Hamilton will begin his Ferrari testing programme without a dedicated race engineer at all.
According to reports from Corriere della Sera, Ferrari plan to have Charles Leclerc’s race engineer, Bryan Bozzi, oversee operations for both drivers during the private test. While this may offer continuity from a team-wide perspective, the decision has been widely criticised as an unconventional and potentially counterproductive solution — one that only Ferrari might consider acceptable.
Hamilton is entering what is widely regarded as the most uncertain season in modern Formula 1 history. The 2026 regulations overhaul introduces new power units, aerodynamic concepts and tyre behaviours, making these early tests more critical than ever. Yet Ferrari’s lead signing will head into this crucial phase without the consistent technical voice typically relied upon to interpret data, guide setup decisions and build trust.
The abrupt nature of Adami’s departure has only intensified scrutiny. Ferrari announced the split without a clear succession plan, leaving Hamilton in limbo at a time when stability should be paramount. Developing a strong driver–engineer relationship is not a process that can be rushed, and beginning the season without even laying that foundation raises serious questions about Ferrari’s planning.
Sharing a race engineer between two drivers also cuts against long-standing Formula 1 principles. The bond between a driver and race engineer is widely considered one of the most important partnerships within a team — acting as the primary communication link between the cockpit and the wider operation. Dividing that focus risks diluting effectiveness, especially when both drivers are learning a brand-new car.
Ferrari’s own history highlights how difficult this relationship can be. Even Leclerc and Bozzi, who have worked together for several seasons, have experienced moments of miscommunication over team radio. One infamous exchange saw Leclerc complain that his cockpit was filling with water, only to receive the blunt response: “It must be the water.”
That communication style is unlikely to suit Hamilton. The seven-time world champion is known to prefer precise, factual feedback and a race engineer who provides clarity, reassurance and unwavering support. For Hamilton, trust is not optional — it is essential, particularly during a season where confidence and adaptability will be tested.
There is a possibility Ferrari are approaching the Barcelona test with a different philosophy. Rather than dividing the garage into Hamilton and Leclerc camps, the team may be prioritising collective understanding of the SF-26. In that sense, the temporary arrangement could be designed to unify feedback and accelerate development during a short and intense testing window.
Even so, the optics remain troubling. If Bozzi is required to split his attention between both drivers, it reinforces lingering doubts about Ferrari’s operational structure. The decision suggests that, despite years of promises, the Scuderia may still struggle with organisation and long-term planning.
As Ferrari prepare for a defining season, the absence of a clear race engineer plan for Hamilton does little to inspire confidence. Whether this gamble pays off or exposes deeper issues will become apparent once testing begins — but for now, the situation feels less like strategy and more like unnecessary chaos.
