Hamilton's Engineer Stays, Verstappen's Future Questioned

As Formula 1 prepares to return from its spring break at the Miami Grand Prix, the driver market and team dynamics continue to generate headlines. Lewis Hamilton will retain his current race engineer for the upcoming race, while former champion Eddie Irvine has sparked debate by stating the sport "doesn't need" Max Verstappen, whose future remains a topic of speculation.

Why it matters:

The stability of a driver-engineer partnership is crucial for on-track performance, making Hamilton's temporary setup a point of interest. Meanwhile, public discourse about a reigning champion's value and commitment touches on the sport's commercial appeal and long-term health, especially as it navigates a major regulatory change for 2026.

The details:

• Hamilton's Engineering Team: Carlo Santi is set to continue as Lewis Hamilton's race engineer in Miami. Santi took over the role at the start of the 2026 season after Riccardo Adami was moved to a different position within Ferrari.
  • The long-term plan remains for Cedric Michel-Grosjean, a recent hire from McLaren, to become Hamilton's permanent race engineer.
• Verstappen Exit Talk: Former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine commented that F1 "doesn't need" Max Verstappen, amid ongoing concerns the Red Bull driver could leave the sport. Verstappen has been openly critical of the proposed 2026 technical regulations.
• Key Red Bull Departure: Helmut Marko acknowledged that the impending move of GianPiero Lambiase to McLaren is "a significant loss" for Red Bull. Lambiase, who has been Verstappen's race engineer for nearly a decade, will take up a role as McLaren's chief racing officer.
• Team Upgrades for Miami: Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies views the Miami Grand Prix as an "opportunity" for a "second season launch," with teams expected to bring significant upgrades after the five-week gap since Japan. Ferrari's Fred Vasseur has also hinted at a major upgrade package for Miami.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the performance leap teams can make with their Miami upgrades, which could reshuffle the competitive order. The Hamilton-Michel-Grosjean partnership will be one to watch as it develops later in the season. The narrative around Verstappen's satisfaction and future will likely persist as the 2026 regulations are finalized, keeping his contract situation—which runs through 2028—under constant scrutiny.