„Ohne ihn kann ich nicht gewinnen“ – Hamiltons brisantes Bekenntnis über seinen ‚italienischen Bono‘ Carlo Santi erschüttert das Fahrerlager
Lewis Hamilton has found a new source of confidence at Ferrari, and much of it comes from the strong working relationship he has developed with his new race engineer, Carlo Santi. Following his impressive victory in Barcelona, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion spoke warmly about the Italian engineer, describing him as his “Italian Bono” — a comparison that carries enormous significance given Hamilton’s long and successful partnership with Peter Bonnington at Mercedes.
The road to this point, however, was far from straightforward.
When Hamilton arrived at Ferrari for the 2025 season, expectations were sky-high. The move was considered one of the biggest transfers in Formula 1 history. Fans dreamed of seeing the most successful driver of the modern era bring championship glory back to Maranello, while Ferrari hoped Hamilton’s experience would help lead the team into a new era.
Reality proved far more challenging.
The SF-25 was an unpredictable machine, and Hamilton struggled throughout much of the season to extract its full potential. The handling characteristics differed significantly from the Mercedes cars he had driven for over a decade, and adapting to Ferrari’s internal processes required more time than many had anticipated. Week after week, Hamilton found himself fighting not only against rival teams but also against the limitations of his own package.
Results reflected those difficulties. Despite flashes of brilliance, podium finishes were rare, and victories seemed out of reach. For a driver accustomed to competing for championships, the season became one of the most frustrating campaigns of his career.
Yet Hamilton never lost faith.
Behind the scenes, he became increasingly involved in Ferrari’s development plans for 2026. Rather than simply focusing on race weekends, he dedicated significant time to simulator work, technical meetings, and discussions about the future SF-26 project. Team insiders noted that Hamilton spent countless hours with engineers in Maranello, offering detailed feedback and helping shape the direction of the next-generation car.
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At the same time, he recognized that changes were necessary within his immediate support structure.
One of the most important decisions came before the start of the 2026 season when Ferrari reorganized Hamilton’s engineering team. Race engineer Riccardo Adami, who had worked alongside Hamilton during his difficult first year at Ferrari, stepped aside, and Carlo Santi was appointed to the role.
The decision was not made lightly.
Hamilton publicly expressed his gratitude toward Adami, acknowledging the dedication and patience the engineer had shown during an extremely demanding period.
“With Riccardo, it was a difficult decision,” Hamilton admitted. “I’m very grateful for everything he did last year. It was a challenging season for all of us, and I appreciate the effort and commitment he showed throughout.”
Still, Formula 1 is a results-driven sport, and sometimes a fresh dynamic can make a significant difference.
From their very first meetings, Hamilton and Santi appeared to share an immediate understanding.
The Italian engineer, now 52 years old, is a highly respected figure within Ferrari. Born in Verona and educated at the Politecnico di Milano, Santi built his entire professional career within the Ferrari organization. After beginning his journey in technical research and endurance racing programs, he gradually climbed through the ranks, gaining expertise in simulation, vehicle dynamics, race strategy, and trackside engineering.
His reputation inside the team was built on technical excellence, calm decision-making, and an ability to communicate clearly under pressure.
Former colleagues often described him as someone who rarely raised his voice, even during the most chaotic moments of a Grand Prix weekend. That composed personality would soon become one of the reasons Hamilton valued him so highly.
When asked about Santi after the Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton smiled and delivered perhaps the greatest compliment possible.
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“He’s my Italian Bono.”
The reference immediately caught the attention of the Formula 1 paddock.
Peter Bonnington, universally known as “Bono,” had been Hamilton’s race engineer throughout the most successful period of his career at Mercedes. Together they won six world championships, dozens of races, and created one of the most iconic driver-engineer partnerships in Formula 1 history.
Comparing anyone to Bonnington therefore represents an extraordinary level of trust.
“With Bono, we connected almost immediately,” Hamilton explained. “I think it’s the same with Carlo. He’s been around us from the beginning of this project. He has tremendous experience. He’s calm, thoughtful, and understands the technical side exceptionally well. That’s something people don’t always see from the outside.”
Their partnership quickly began producing results.
During winter testing, observers noticed the growing chemistry between the two men. Radio communications were concise and efficient. Technical debriefs often lasted late into the evening, with Hamilton and Santi analyzing every detail of the car’s behavior.
Several Ferrari mechanics later revealed that it was common to see the pair reviewing data long after other teams had left the paddock. Hamilton would describe precisely what he felt in specific corners, while Santi translated those sensations into engineering solutions.
This process helped build trust on both sides.
Hamilton has often emphasized that the relationship between driver and race engineer is one of the most important elements in Formula 1. A driver must communicate subtle feelings about balance, grip, braking stability, tire degradation, and countless other factors. The engineer then interprets that information and converts it into setup changes capable of improving performance.
“The driver-engineer relationship is incredibly important,” Hamilton said. “Understanding a driver’s needs takes time. When you provide feedback, the engineer has to understand exactly what you’re feeling in the car. They need to identify the source of the problem and help find the solution.”
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By the time the championship arrived in Barcelona, that understanding appeared stronger than ever.
Throughout the weekend, Hamilton looked confident from the opening practice session. Ferrari’s strategy team, led by Santi’s constant communication, executed the race perfectly. Tire choices were timed to perfection, pit stops were flawless, and setup adjustments allowed Hamilton to maintain consistent pace across every stint.
Most importantly, the SF-26 finally looked like a car that Hamilton could drive naturally.
Instead of fighting the vehicle, he seemed fully synchronized with it. His corner entries were aggressive, his tire management was excellent, and his race pace remained strong from start to finish.
The victory was more than just another statistic.
For Hamilton, it represented proof that the difficult months of rebuilding were beginning to pay off. For Ferrari, it demonstrated that the team was moving in the right direction. And for Carlo Santi, it was confirmation that his partnership with one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers was developing into something special.
Although Hamilton remains 41 points behind Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ Championship, optimism has returned to the Ferrari garage. Consecutive strong performances, including a victory and two runner-up finishes in three races, have transformed the atmosphere within the team.
More importantly, Hamilton has rediscovered something he feared he might never find again after leaving Mercedes: complete trust in the voice speaking to him over the radio.
In Carlo Santi, he has found more than a race engineer. He has found a collaborator, a confidant, and a technical partner who understands both the car and the driver behind the wheel. As Ferrari’s championship ambitions continue to grow, that relationship could prove to be one of the team’s most valuable assets in the seasons ahead.
