Lewis Hamilton's Performance Engineer Departs Ferrari for Sportscars

Lewis Hamilton is set to lose a key member of his engineering team as performance engineer Riccardo Corte departs Ferrari for a new role in sportscars. Corte, who previously worked with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, had become an integral part of Hamilton's inner circle since his move from Mercedes.

Why it matters:

Corte's departure marks a significant loss for Ferrari and, more specifically, for Lewis Hamilton as he prepares for his much-anticipated switch to the Scuderia in 2025. Losing a performance engineer with such intimate knowledge of Ferrari's operations and recent experience with a seven-time world champion could impact Hamilton's integration and performance in the critical initial phase.

The Details:

• Riccardo Corte, an experienced performance engineer, is leaving Ferrari after 11 years with the F1 team.
• He previously worked with both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at Ferrari before transitioning to support Lewis Hamilton's preparations.
• Ahead of the recent Belgian Grand Prix, Corte was moved to a new internal position, signaling an upcoming change.
• Corte is now preparing to join Grove Racing in Australian Supercars, a move he described as an "exciting time."
• Corte's Statement: "I'm really proud to be joining Grove Racing at such an exciting time for the team. The progress they've made in recent seasons is impressive, and the Bathurst 1000 win shows what's possible with the right people and mindset. After 11 years at Ferrari F1, I'm looking forward to bringing that experience into Supercars, helping the team keep pushing forward and maximising every opportunity on track."
• Grove Racing's Perspective: Stephen Grove, owner of Grove Racing, highlighted Corte's "incredible depth" of experience, noting his 11 years at Ferrari F1 and his recent work as Lewis Hamilton's performance engineer, which will bring significant understanding to their program.

The Big Picture:

Engineer movements are common in Formula 1, but this particular departure comes at a sensitive time for Ferrari as they gear up for Lewis Hamilton's arrival. Performance engineers play a crucial role in optimizing car setup and driver feedback, making Corte's extensive F1 experience, particularly with top drivers, highly valuable. His move to a different motorsport category signifies a complete change of pace and challenge.

What's next:

Ferrari will undoubtedly need to reallocate responsibilities or find a suitable replacement to support Hamilton's transition effectively. The team will be keen to ensure that Hamilton's integration into the team is as smooth as possible, and filling this gap will be a priority. While Hamilton still has a season with Mercedes, the groundwork for 2025 is already being laid, and retaining key personnel will be vital for a strong start.