Chandhok Raises Alarm Over Hamilton Engineer Situation 2026

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Lewis Hamilton is facing renewed scrutiny ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season after former F1 driver Karun Chandhok raised concerns over the unresolved race engineer situation at Scuderia Ferrari.

Ferrari confirmed earlier this month that Riccardo Adami will not continue as Hamilton’s race engineer following a partnership that proved sub-optimal during the 2025 campaign. With Ferrari yet to formally announce a permanent replacement, Hamilton has begun the Barcelona shakedown without a confirmed long-term engineer, a scenario that has drawn attention within the paddock.

Chandhok’s concerns intensified after reports suggested that Bryan Bozzi, the race engineer of Charles Leclerc, was overseeing trackside communication duties during Hamilton’s running earlier in the week. The arrangement has prompted questions over continuity and preparation as Ferrari looks to reset after a difficult previous season.

“The other thing that’s ringing alarm bells for me is his engineer situation,” Chandhok told Sky Sports F1.

“As far as we understand, Bryan Bozzi, who is Charles’ engineer, was running the car on Tuesday, including for Lewis. That confuses me, if I’m perfectly honest.”

Chandhok stressed that the driver–engineer relationship is a foundational element of competitive performance, extending far beyond radio exchanges during a race weekend. He highlighted the importance of shared understanding and instinctive communication, particularly in high-pressure decision-making environments.

“That relationship between driver and race engineer is so, so important. The best partnerships are built on unspoken understanding,” Chandhok added.

The Hamilton–Adami pairing had already come under scrutiny during the 2025 season, with radio exchanges occasionally revealing frustration over communication processes. Chandhok suggested Ferrari missed an opportunity to address these issues during the winter by accelerating the integration of a new race engineer through structured preparation.

“They haven’t created a situation where Lewis is building that relationship over the winter,” Chandhok said.

“I would have liked to see simulator work or a TPC programme where he could properly bond with a new race engineer.”

Chandhok further underlined that the race engineer’s role extends into the wider engineering operation, where continuous collaboration away from the track is critical. With pre-season testing already underway, the absence of an established driver–engineer partnership raises questions about Ferrari’s operational readiness as Hamilton aims for a stronger campaign in the 2026 Formula 1 season.