Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami

Photo: Race Pictures

F1 Today | Hamilton's interim race engineer named, Haas follows Ferrari’s lead

22:59, 24 Jan

byTobia Elia

As always, let’s take a look at the two main Formula 1 stories from today, Saturday, January 24.

Hamilton to have interim race engineer for Barcelona testing, McLaren rumor grows

While Ferrari continues is yet to confirm who will officially replace Riccardo Adami as Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer, a familiar face in the paddock will step in on an interim basis. Carlo Santi is set to take on the role during next week’s pre-season test in Barcelona.

During the day of the launch of the SF-26, the team declined to provide any clarity to GPblog on the matter, and 24 hours later the stance has not changed, with a firm “no comment” still coming from the Maranell-based outfit.

In the meantime, Santi will hold the fort. He previously worked as Kimi Raikkonen’s race engineer and brings extensive trackside knowledge. In Barcelona, he will operate alongside Bryan Bozzi, Charles Leclerc’s trusted race engineer. There are also whispers about Ferrari considering a former McLaren employee as Hamilton’s eventual long-term partner on the pit wall.

Photo: Race Pictures

Haas follows Ferrari in completing laps at Fiorano track

After the SF-26 completed its first day on track — marking its official debut with Lewis Hamilton in the morning and Charles Leclerc later on — the new VF-26 also took to the track today at Fiorano.

Oliver Bearman was given their first taste of the new regulatory era, gaining an initial feel for how these new cars behave compared to the previous generation, ahead of more representative running at the Barcelona tests and, above all, in Bahrain.

In just two days’ time, things will start to get serious with the five-day test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. It will offer the very first indications of the competitive order heading into the new season.

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