P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 2026: Meet the stars of team radio – race engineers as Hamilton confirms controversial Ferrari plan
The F1 sport will see significant changes in 2026 due to major regulations overhaul, with new American team Cadillac and Aston Martin’s unique team lineup adding more complexity.
Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will have a two engineer structure all season, while Lewis Hamilton will race without a permanent engineer replacement for the Australian Grand Prix.
Hamilton’s challenging 2025 season with Ferrari highlighted issues with his race engineer, Riccardo Adami, resulting in a decision for Adami to not continue in the role for the 2026 campaign.
Race engineers play a crucial role in F1, serving as a vital communication link for drivers and teams, with some like Peter Bonnington (Bono) and Bryan Bozzi becoming well-known for their interactions with drivers.
In 2026, Lando Norris will be guided by experienced race engineer Will Joseph at McLaren, while Oscar Piastri will have Tom Stallard as his engineer, who transitioned from an Olympic rower to a successful career in F1 engineering.
