Lewis Hamilton’s first win with Ferrari at the 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix marked a significant milestone in his ongoing adaptation to the Scuderia. Central to this resurgence has been the influence of race engineer Carlo Santi, whose experience and approach have played a key role in helping Hamilton extract more from the SF-26 car.
Hamilton’s initial 2025 season with Ferrari was challenging as he adjusted to the new team and car. For the 2026 season, he assembled a fresh engineering team, bringing in Carlo Santi as his race engineer, replacing Riccardo Adami. Santi, 52, hails from Verona and has been part of Ferrari for over ten years. Notably, he was Kimi Räikkönen’s race engineer during the Finnish driver’s final Formula 1® victory in 2018. His background includes roles in vehicle dynamics, driving simulation, and remote garage support, providing a broad technical foundation.
The partnership between Hamilton and Santi has quickly shown positive results. Hamilton refers to Santi as his “Italian Bono,” drawing a parallel to Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, his former race engineer at Mercedes. He praises Santi’s calm demeanor, deep technical knowledge, and steady presence, which have contributed to improved performance on track. Since joining forces, Hamilton has secured one win and two second-place finishes in the last three races, a notable improvement compared to his debut season with Ferrari.
Initially, the collaboration between Hamilton and Santi was intended to be temporary, but the positive results have extended their partnership. Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has supported this arrangement, focusing on making Hamilton comfortable within the team environment and with the car itself. This support appears to have helped Hamilton regain confidence and competitiveness.
Santi’s extensive experience with Ferrari and his previous success with Räikkönen provide a valuable perspective that complements Hamilton’s driving style. His technical insights and calm communication have helped the seven-time world champion better understand and exploit the SF-26’s potential. This synergy is evident in Hamilton’s recent performances and his ability to challenge for top positions consistently.
While Hamilton’s adjustment to Ferrari has not been without its hurdles, the addition of Carlo Santi as race engineer marks a clear step forward. Their growing partnership is a reminder of how critical the relationship between driver and engineer is in Formula 1®, influencing not just race strategy but also the driver’s confidence and car setup.
As the season progresses, the Hamilton-Santi duo will likely continue to be a focal point for Ferrari’s efforts to return to the front of the grid. Their collaboration highlights the importance of experience, communication, and trust in the high-pressure environment of Formula 1® racing.
