Hamilton credits engineering shift for Ferrari resurgence
The seven-time world champion has reshaped his Maranello garage, replacing Riccardo Adami with veteran Carlo Santi to secure two podiums in the opening five races of the 2026 season.
Lewis Hamilton has attributed his improved performance in the 2026 Formula 1 season to the appointment of veteran engineer Carlo Santi. Following a difficult 2025 campaign with Scuderia Ferrari, Hamilton replaced engineer Riccardo Adami with Santi, who has been described by Hamilton as the "Italian Bono" in reference to his former long-time engineer Peter Bonnington. Hamilton has secured two podiums in the first five races of 2026, including a second-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, and sits three points behind teammate Charles Leclerc in the championship standings.
The 2025 season was characterised by tense and awkward radio exchanges with Adami, a period Hamilton described as an absolute disaster following his move from Mercedes. Ferrari conducted a backroom shake-up over the winter, initially billing Santi’s appointment as a temporary fix. However, the immediate chemistry between Hamilton and the 52-year-old veteran has proven significant, with Hamilton noting that the trust which was absent with Adami was established instantly with Santi.
Hamilton has drawn direct parallels between Santi and Bonnington, widely regarded as one of the greatest race engineers in motorsport history. Hamilton dubbed Santi the "Italian Bono" ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, citing the engineer’s unflappable energy and extensive experience. "I feel that Carlo is very similar to Bono," Hamilton stated. "For me, he is kind of an OG. One of those veterans who has seen a lot, has huge experience and is always extremely calm."
Santi’s background includes engineering Kimi Raikkonen’s final Ferrari season in 2018 before moving to a remote operations role. Hamilton emphasised that Santi’s calm demeanor is critical for breaking down telemetry without letting adrenaline affect communication. This structural change within the garage has allowed Hamilton to rebuild the specific environment he requires to perform at a championship level.
The results of this strategic adjustment are evident in the current standings. Hamilton secured a second-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, describing the late-race charge as hunting down Max Verstappen. With two podiums in the first five races, Hamilton remains in close contention, trailing Leclerc by just three points as the European leg of the season progresses.
