The Crucial Role of a Formula 1 Race Engineer
A race engineer is one of the most vital members of any Formula 1 team. Their primary responsibility is to optimize the performance of the driver and car combination, a task that demands a deep understanding of both technical and human dynamics. Throughout a race weekend, race engineers translate the feedback from drivers into strategic decisions to achieve the best possible results. They are often the only direct line of communication between the driver and the team, making them a critical link in the chain of success. Here’s a closer look at the race engineers who will be working with F1 drivers in 2025.
McLaren’s Stable Engineering Team
Lando Norris will continue his partnership with Will Joseph, a relationship that has been in place since Norris’s F1 debut in 2019. Joseph’s familiarity with Norris’s driving style and preferences will be invaluable in the coming season. Despite McLaren’s experimentation with alternating engineers in 2023, Joseph remains Norris’s sole race engineer. On the other side of the garage, Oscar Piastri will work with Tom Stallard. Stallard, an Olympic silver medalist in rowing, has been with McLaren for almost two decades and has worked with several high-profile drivers, including Jenson Button and Daniel Ricciardo. His experience and partnership with Piastri, which dates back to the Australian’s F1 debut, will be a strong asset for the team.
Mercedes’ New and Experienced Engineering Faces
Lewis Hamilton will be working with Riccardo Adami, one of the most experienced race engineers in F1. Adami, who joined Ferrari from Toro Rosso in 2015, has worked with Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz. This marks Hamilton’s first change of race engineer in over a decade, as his long-time collaborator Peter Bonnington has decided to stay with Mercedes. On the other side of the garage, George Russell will continue to work with Marcus Dudley, who has been his race engineer since 2023. Dudley’s tenure has seen Russell secure several grand prix victories, and their collaboration is expected to continue to yield strong results.
Red Bull’s Strong Engineering Lineup
Max Verstappen will continue to work with Gianpiero Lambiase, often referred to as the "Jason Statham of F1." Lambiase, who started in F1 when Verstappen was in primary school, has an impressive track record of working with top drivers like Paul Di Resta and Sergio Perez. His partnership with Verstappen, which began in 2016, has been a key factor in the Dutchman’s success. On the other side, Sergio Perez will be working with Richard Wood, who has been with Red Bull for over a decade. Wood’s promotion to race engineer, following a successful stint as performance engineer, is a natural progression that reflects his strong capabilities and experience.
Aston Martin’s Engineering Shuffle
Fernando Alonso will work with Andrew Vizard, who has moved from Lance Stroll’s side of the garage. Vizard joined Aston Martin at the start of 2023 and has quickly established himself as a capable engineer. On the other side, Nico Hulkenberg will be guided by Gary Gannon, who has a wealth of experience from his time at Haas. Gannon’s strong reputation and recent success with Hulkenberg make him a valuable addition to the Aston Martin team.
Alpine’s Experienced and New Faces
Pierre Gasly will continue to work with John Howard, who has been with Alpine for 13 years. Howard’s extensive experience in various roles within the team has prepared him well for his current position as Gasly’s race engineer. Jack Doohan will be working with Josh Peckett, who has had a long and successful career in F1, including a notable victory with Esteban Ocon in the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Haas F1 Team’s Fresh Perspectives
Esteban Ocon will work with Laura Mueller, the first woman to hold the position of race engineer in F1. Mueller, a 33-year-old German, brings a fresh perspective to the team after a career in sportscars, DTM, and GT. On the other side, Logan Sargeant will be guided by Ronan O’Hare, an experienced engineer with a background in Formula E and other motorsport categories.
In summary, the 2025 Formula 1 season will see a blend of experienced and new race engineers, each bringing their unique strengths and expertise to their respective teams. Their roles are crucial in translating driver feedback into strategic decisions, ultimately aiming to achieve the best possible results on the track.
