A detailed analysis of the radio communications and strategic decisions during the Spanish Grand Prix has revealed the critical role played by Lewis Hamilton’s temporary race engineer, Carlos Santi, in securing the driver’s first victory for Ferrari. According to the briefing, Santi, who was initially brought in as a short-term replacement over the winter, has become a permanent fixture in Hamilton’s garage after the two developed an immediate and effective working relationship. Hamilton has reportedly referred to Santi as his “Italian Bono,” a direct comparison to his long-time engineer Peter Bonington from his championship-winning years at Mercedes.
The victory at the Spanish Grand Prix ended a 686-day winless streak for Hamilton, whose last Formula 1 victory came at the Belgian Grand Prix in 2024 with Mercedes. The early part of the 2026 season had been difficult for Hamilton, who was not only adapting to a new team but also recovering from a heavy crash during the previous winter’s testing at the same track. His performances in the early rounds were off the pace, leading to speculation that the move to Ferrari was not working and that the gap to his teammate was becoming a concern.
The turning point in Barcelona began on Saturday, when Hamilton, despite missing the first practice session and admitting the car was behind the front runners, qualified in second place, just six hundredths of a second behind George Russell’s Mercedes. This was his first front row start for Ferrari. The team then executed a bold three-stop strategy, which included starting Hamilton on the softest tire compound. The critical moment of the race occurred on lap 39, when Santi radioed Hamilton to inform him that the race was theirs to take and that he needed to push hard for the next seven laps.
Hamilton delivered the required pace, and a subsequent virtual safety car period allowed Ferrari to bring him in for his final pit stop without losing the lead. He crossed the line nearly 20 seconds ahead of Russell, securing his 106th Grand Prix win and making him the oldest driver to win a race since 1970. The victory also moved Hamilton up to second place in the championship standings, 41 points behind leader Kimmy Antonelli, whose own race ended with an electrical failure on lap 62. The championship lead, which had been 59 points, was reduced significantly.
The analysis concludes that the win was the result of a combination of factors: a major upgrade package that made the Ferrari the quickest car through the medium-speed corners, a brave strategic plan from the pit wall, and the renewed confidence Hamilton has found in his partnership with Santi. The report notes that while Ferrari boss Peter Bonington has cautioned against putting Santi in the spotlight, he has acknowledged the strong fit between the engineer and the driver. This victory has also opened up questions within Ferrari regarding the team’s driver hierarchy, as Hamilton’s teammate had a difficult weekend.
