Hamilton gets interim engineer for Barcelona; Haas hits Fiorano track

Ferrari has appointed Carlo Santi as Lewis Hamilton's interim race engineer for next week's Barcelona test, while the search for a permanent successor to Riccardo Adami remains ongoing. Simultaneously, Haas completed a shakedown at Fiorano, giving Oliver Bearman an early run in the new VF-26 ahead of the official pre-season season.

Why it matters:

Establishing a strong driver-engineer relationship is vital for Hamilton's immediate impact at Ferrari, especially with the new regulations shaking up the competitive order. The silence on a permanent hire suggests a complex decision process, while Haas's early track time allows them to validate new concepts before the intense Barcelona schedule begins.

The details:

• Interim Setup: Santi, who previously worked with Kimi Räikkönen, will step in temporarily. He will operate alongside Bryan Bozzi, Charles Leclerc's race engineer, ensuring stability on the pit wall during the critical first test.
• McLaren Link: Despite the interim solution, paddock whispers persist that Ferrari is eyeing a former McLaren employee for the long-term role to partner with Hamilton.
• Haas Shakedown: Following Ferrari's lead, the VF-26 took to the Fiorano track today. This session allowed Bearman to sample the new regulatory era's handling characteristics ahead of the official pre-season test.

What's next:

Serious action begins in two days with the five-day test at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. This will be the first true indicator of the performance pecking order before the season opener in Bahrain.