Carlo Santi Retained as Lewis Hamilton’s Race Engineer for Miami Grand Prix

Ferrari confirms Carlo Santi will remain Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer for Miami as the team prepares a major 2026 upgrade package. Read the latest F1 update.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 4:47 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

Interim Technical Stability Amidst a Shifting Calendar

The organizational structure surrounding Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari will remain unchanged as the Formula 1 season heads to Florida, with Carlo Santi confirmed to stay on the pit wall. Following the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds due to regional instability, the sport has entered an unexpected nearly month-long break, which many anticipated would be the window for Hamilton to integrate a new permanent engineer. However, internal sources have verified that Santi, who previously worked with Kimi Raikkonen, will maintain his role for the Miami Grand Prix. This decision prioritizes immediate operational consistency as Hamilton looks to build on a season that has already seen him secure his maiden Ferrari podium.

The Search for a Permanent Technical Partner

The long-term plan for Hamilton’s garage remains centered on the arrival of Cedric Michel-Grosjean, who recently joined the Scuderia from McLaren. Michel-Grosjean, formerly the lead trackside performance engineer for Oscar Piastri, is widely expected to take over the radio duties, though Ferrari has yet to establish a firm timeline for this transition. Hamilton has previously expressed caution regarding mid-season changes, noting that learning to work with a new engineer while navigating the complexities of the 2026 regulations could be detrimental to his championship momentum. For now, the team is managing a delicate balance between Santi’s veteran experience and the need to establish the permanent partnership that will define Hamilton’s tenure in Maranello.

Strategic Testing and Promotional Efforts at Monza

In preparation for the European leg of the season, Ferrari has scheduled a pivotal filming day at Monza for late April. This session will serve a dual purpose, allowing the team to generate fresh commercial content while quietly evaluating minor aerodynamic refinements. The team has notably saved its permitted filming days until now, seeking to optimize the SF-26’s energy management systems on a high-speed circuit that mirrors the demands of the upcoming calendar. According to team principal Fred Vasseur, these outings are essential for deepening the understanding of the power unit's performance, particularly after Hamilton reported a confusing power deficit relative to teammate Charles Leclerc during the recent Japanese...