Ferrari Eyes Ex-McLaren Engineer for Hamilton Amid Gardening Leave Concerns

Ferrari is reportedly targeting Cédric Michel-Grosjean, a former senior performance engineer from McLaren, to become Lewis Hamilton's long-term race engineer. While this move would bolster Hamilton's team, it raises immediate questions about availability, as technical staff moving between top rivals are usually subject to lengthy gardening leave periods.

Why it matters:

The relationship between a driver and their race engineer is the bedrock of performance in Formula 1. As Hamilton prepares for his first season with the Scuderia, having a permanent, high-caliber engineer is essential for translating his feedback into car setup. Delaying this appointment could hinder the team's momentum during the crucial pre-season phase.

The details:

• The Candidate: Michel-Grosjean brings a strong pedigree, having served as McLaren's Lead Trackside Performance Engineer for Oscar Piastri. He played a key role in Piastri's seven victories in the 2025 season before leaving the Woking-based outfit in December.
• Current Status: His LinkedIn profile suggests a career move effective January 1, fueling speculation that he is headed to Maranello. However, joining a direct competitor without a notice period is highly rare in F1's competitive landscape.
• Short-Term Fixes: Ferrari cannot wait for legal clearances for next week's Barcelona test. Carlo Santi is the favorite to fill the role on the pit wall. Alternatively, Bryan Bozzi could double up, as he currently manages Charles Leclerc's engineering but is available since only one Ferrari car is scheduled to run in Spain.

Between the lines:

If Ferrari secures Michel-Grosjean immediately, it would be a significant coup, bypassing the usual bureaucratic delays that hamper mid-winter hires. It suggests the team is prioritizing Hamilton's specific needs over standard protocols, though they must first navigate the interim period with internal resources to ensure the Barcelona test yields useful data.