Ferrari have made their first big call of 2026 — and it’s already sending shockwaves through the paddock.

After a turbulent debut season in red, Lewis Hamilton is set to begin the new campaign with a new voice in his ear, as Ferrari move on from race engineer Riccardo Adami.

And according to reports in Italy, the Scuderia may already have their long-term fix lined up — from McLaren.

🟥 A Partnership That Never Clicked

Hamilton’s first year with Scuderia Ferrari in 2025 was widely seen as the toughest of his career.

Over the radio, tension was obvious.
Miscommunication. Strategy confusion. Frustration.

The contrast with Hamilton’s near-telepathic bond with Peter Bonnington at Mercedes was impossible to ignore.

Just weeks into 2026 preparations, Ferrari confirmed Adami would no longer serve as Hamilton’s race engineer, moving instead into a management role within Ferrari’s Driver Academy and testing programs.

🔄 A Temporary Fix — And a Bigger Plan

For now, Ferrari will rely on internal support, with engineers Bryan Bozzi and Carlo Santi assisting Hamilton during early sessions.

But insiders say this is only a stopgap.

According to Italian outlet AutoRacer.it, Ferrari are waiting for a “gardening leave” period to expire before officially appointing Hamilton’s next full-time race engineer.

🟠 The McLaren Connection

That report names Cedric Michel-Grosjean, currently at McLaren, as the leading candidate.

Michel-Grosjean served as Lead Trackside Performance Engineer and played a key role in Oscar Piastri’s car optimisation and driving development throughout 2025.

While he has not yet held the title of race engineer, his technical influence on McLaren’s on-track performance has earned widespread respect inside the paddock.

Ferrari reportedly believe that experience — combined with Hamilton’s feedback and leadership — could be enough to make the step up.

⏱️ Why This Matters for 2026

The timing is critical.

With sweeping new regulations reshaping Formula 1 cars for 2026, teams are essentially starting from zero. For drivers coming off disappointing seasons, it’s a rare chance at a reset.

Few need it more than Hamilton.

Ferrari know that if his second season is going to deliver results, communication and trust must be fixed first — even before outright pace.

🔥 A High-Risk, High-Reward Gamble

Poaching from a direct rival is never simple.
Promoting an engineer without prior race-engineer experience is risky.

But Ferrari appear willing to take that risk — because doing nothing is no longer an option.

Whether this move puts Hamilton back on the podium, or simply adds another chapter to Ferrari’s ongoing struggle, will soon be revealed.

One thing is clear:
Ferrari are done waiting — and 2026 starts now.