Hamilton Gets New Race Engineer as Ferrari Reveals 2026 Power Unit

Ferrari has dropped a surprise by confirming that Riccardo Adami will not be Lewis Hamilton's race engineer, shifting him to a management role within the Ferrari Driver Academy just as the team fires up its 2026 power unit.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's integration into Ferrari is critical for the 2026 season. Changing the race engineer—often considered a driver's most vital link to the team—adds a layer of complexity to the seven-time champion's transition from Mercedes.

The details:

• Staffing Shift: Riccardo Adami, formerly Charles Leclerc's race engineer and recently assigned to Hamilton, will now manage the Academy and Testing of Previous Cars (TPC). This leaves Hamilton in search of a new key ally ahead of his debut.
• Engine Fire-up: Ferrari released footage of the SF-26 engine roaring to life for the first time, witnessed by Hamilton, Leclerc, and Team Principal Fred Vasseur. This marks a significant milestone in their 2026 development.

The big picture:

While Ferrari focuses on internal restructuring and power unit development, Red Bull is making headlines of its own. The team unveiled a striking new livery for the 2026 season, aiming to maintain its front-running status. However, technical challenges loom as Red Bull's engine chief admits they are pushing the "very limit" of new regulations regarding compression ratios, following reports of a potential "trick" utilized by Mercedes.

Off-track:

Williams driver Alex Albon announced his engagement to professional golfer Lily Muni He, adding a personal celebration to the pre-season buzz.

What's next:

With the 2026 season approaching, all eyes will be on Ferrari to confirm Hamilton's new race engineer and on how the new power unit regulations shake up the competitive order during pre-season testing.