More than just Radio Checks

The roar of the engines, the blur of speed, the split-second decisions – Formula 1 racing is a high-speed drama that captivates millions. While the drivers, with their incredible ability and mad driving, are wont to steal the limelight, they are by no means solitary in their pursuit of victory. Shepherding them steadily through each turn and twist, each tactical choice and surprise hurdle, is a voice in their ear: their race engineer. This seemingly simple communication channel conceals a profound and often invisible bond, a necessary partnership built on unbreakable trust, intricate strategy, and a mutual will to dominate the circuit. More than a simple exchange of information, communication between a Formula 1 driver and their race engineer is an incomprehensible yet intriguing relationship which can win or lose a race, and indeed a championship.

The role of a Formula 1 race engineer is far greater than merely telling a driver where to go or what to alter. They are a core component of the advanced machine that forms a racing team, with the duty of performing an enormous range of significant work. Fundamentally, the race engineer's main job is the optimization of performance. They are charged with getting the absolute maximum out of the delicate synergy of driver ability and car potential. This requires a thorough knowledge of the mechanical and electrical systems in the car, and how to set them up so that they will function exactly as dictated by the particular driving habits of their driver and the particular requirements of each track.

Within the intense pressure of the garage, car setup comes under the critical control of the race engineer. They manage a multitude of alterations, ranging from the paramount aerodynamic settings, including the angle of front and rear wings, to the micro-adjustments of the suspension system, including ride height and anti-roll bar configuration. This complex procedure quite often involves co-working closely with performance engineers who have expertise in the automobile's electronic specifications, including differential settings that impact power delivery, and the brake balance which determines the sensitivity of braking force.

Throughout the hot qualifying sessions and the volatile races, the race engineer becomes a director of operations for their particular car. They become the focal point of communication for the mechanics and other support staff, coordinating the all-important choreography of pit stops and maintaining compliance with the strict regulations imposed by the FIA.

One of their most important roles is, perhaps, being the driver's main point of contact with the rest of the team. During those moments when the car is screaming around the track at breakneck speeds, the race engineer might be the only voice in the driver's ear, communicating vital information regarding critical setting adjustments, developing race strategies, and the constantly evolving situation with their competition. Conversely, they are tasked with interpreting the often nuanced feedback from the driver regarding the car's behavior, translating subjective feelings into objective engineering data for the team to analyze.

Beyond the technical and strategic functions, much of the race engineer's work is to offer the driver the precious assistance they require. They tend to form a very close, intimate relationship with their driver, serving as an advisor, a confidant, and even a sounding board for the tremendous pressures and emotions involved in racing at the top level of motorsport. This needs not just technical skills but also outstanding people skills, understanding when to present information in a factual way, when to provide encouragement, and even when to withhold pessimistic news strategically.

In addition, race engineers become heavily entrenched in data analysis and interpretation. They study the huge amounts of telemetry that the car produces, trying to comprehend the car's every detail, recognize areas where improvement might possibly be made in either the set-up or the driver's approach, and ultimately assist the team in formulating their strategic direction. Lastly, they need to make them legal, carefully inspecting the car and how it runs under the strict standards set by FIA rules for the entire weekend of racing. The individuals that perform this arduous labor typically possess master's degrees in engineering disciplines and a strong combination of analytical acumen and exemplary communication skills.

The symbiotic relationship between a Formula 1 driver and their race engineer is generally the bedrock of success in this demanding sport. Through the years, there have been a number of legendary pairings that have been formed, their bond etched into racing history.

The 2025 Formula 1 season has witnessed a number of dramatic makeovers in driver lineups, which have consequently resulted in new combinations of drivers and race engineers. Carlos Sainz, switching from the established Ferrari organization to Williams, now has a new race engineer, Gaetan Jego. Sainz will have to work through the adjustment of being with a new team, a Mercedes-powered car, and having a new work relationship with Jego, who has experience working in multiple motorsports categories. Establishing the trust and understanding in the communication patterns required will be instrumental in their success. Sainz himself has admitted that it usually takes about half a year to properly settle in with a new team and car. Positive early reactions from Williams engineers over Sainz's technical expertise, though, is indicating he might be at the center of leading the team forward. In a similar vein, Lewis Hamilton's transfer to Ferrari finds him joining forces with Riccardo Adami. Although Adami is a seasoned engineer, establishing the intimate understanding Hamilton had with Peter Bonnington will be an important element of their partnership. These adjustments for both Hamilton and Sainz emphasize the central position the race engineer holds in a driver's transition and performance, especially when starting a new chapter with a new team.

The long-standing alliance between Peter Bonnington, popularly referred to as "Bono," and Lewis Hamilton is one which best demonstrates the force of consistency and thorough comprehension. Since Hamilton's 2013 move to Mercedes, Bono has been his rock-steady voice in the cockpit, a relationship that has yielded an astonishing six drivers' championships and a plethora of race victories. Their conversation is characterized by a natural and intuitive flow, often with Bono delivering pithy and essential facts at precisely the right moment. Classic radio exchanges, like Bono's ecstatic "Get in there, Lewis!" after a closely contested victory or the cry of "It's hammer time!" pushing Hamilton to go to the absolute limit, have become the hallmark of their success. Hamilton himself has frequently talked about the immense trust and near-familial relationship he enjoyed with Bono, viewing him not only as his engineer but as an essential team member and a close friend, a "brother" in essence. Yet, as Hamilton starts a new journey with Ferrari, Bono will stay on at Mercedes, having been promoted to Head of Race Engineering. Though their working relationship on the pit wall will end, their personal connection is likely to last. Hamilton's new race engineer at Ferrari will be Riccardo Adami, an extremely experienced individual in the sport. Adami has extensive experience, having worked with Sebastian Vettel both at Ferrari and Toro Rosso, and Carlos Sainz at Ferrari. Establishing a similar level of rapport and intuitive connection like Hamilton had with Bono will clearly take effort and time. Early radio chatter during the Australian Grand Prix indicated an initial period of adjustment as they learned to read each other's communication style and preferences. Hamilton himself described the necessity for this time of mutual learning. The decade-long partnership of Hamilton and Bono serves to highlight the powerful influence a steady and trusting driver-engineer collaboration can exert upon attaining enduring success at the top levels of Formula 1. The move to Adami is a fresh dynamic for Hamilton, one fraught with challenge, as well as with the potential for a new and successful relationship.

Another iconic duo, Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase, or "GP," have built a very successful partnership based on a foundation of directness and mutual respect. Since Verstappen's promotion to Red Bull Racing in 2016, Lambiase has been his constant presence on the radio. Their communication is usually marked by its intensity and directness, with Lambiase never afraid to call Verstappen's assertive style to account, and Verstappen appreciating Lambiase's honest, and sometimes blunt, criticisms. Despite sometimes acrimonious exchanges, their relationship is clearly underpinned by a strong sense of mutual respect and a shared, unmoving focus on getting the most out of the car. Lambiase's role within the team was further attested to by his recent advancement to Head of Racing within Red Bull, an accolade to his skill and leadership, although he remains in his essential role as Verstappen's race engineer. Verstappen himself has frequently talked about his strong dependence and trust in Lambiase, even going so far previously as to suggest that his own future within Formula 1 may be dependent on Lambiase remaining within the sport. The Verstappen/Lambiase partnership shows that a successful driver-engineer bond need not involve perfect harmony but can work best on open, honest, and sometimes difficult communication, aimed at one shared goal: victory.

The foundation of Sebastian Vettel's four successive World Championships with Red Bull Racing was unequivocally his solid relationship with his race engineer, Guillaume Rocquelin, better known as "Rocky". Between 2009 and 2014, Rocquelin was Vettel's steady and soothing voice over the radio, offering a vital balancing influence to the intense German driver. Rocquelin was famous for his own composure, even through madcap and eventful races such as the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, when Vettel suffered many knocks, but persevered nevertheless, and sealed his third championship victory. Their relationship was based on a deep level of trust and understanding, with Vettel frequently calling upon Rocquelin's strategic advice and Rocquelin having absolute confidence in Vettel's outstanding driving skills, especially in mercurial conditions such as rain. After their incredible success together, Rocquelin was appointed Head of Race Engineering at Red Bull Racing in 2015. The Vettel/Rocquelin relationship is an outstanding example of how a race engineer's soothing counsel and unshakable faith can play a pivotal part in a driver attaining sustained dominance and multiple titles.

Charles Leclerc has also experienced the profound impact of the driver-engineer relationship. In 2024, Leclerc experienced a change in his race engineer, with Bryan Bozzi replacing Xavier Marcos. This transition seems to have had a positive impact on the performance of Leclerc and his relationship with the team, with reports indicating a better dynamic and more efficient working relationship with Bozzi. Leclerc's radio communications with Bozzi are frequently cited as more relaxed, and even jovial compared to Marcos. Leclerc's previous engineer, Xavi Marcos, was effusive about the Monegasque driver's natural ability and his adaptation to the car within a short time, pointing out their friendly personal relationship. However, he was replaced due to a number of reasons. Whether it was the lack of information shared to the driver, a fresh start from Fred Vasseur’s leadership, or even just bringing back Bozzi- someone who was already familiar with Leclerc. The transition to Bozzi, however, seems to have further strengthened Leclerc's relationship with his engineering staff. Leclerc's case shows the way in which a switch of race engineers may occasionally be an absolute requirement in order to unlock a driver's full potential and create a more harmonious and productive working relationship.

While the optimum situation is one of smooth collaboration founded on mutual understanding and trust, there will be times when communication or trust between a Formula 1 driver and his race engineer can fail. A good example of this is present in the sometimes sarcastic radio comments of Fernando Alonso. When he drove for McLaren again, especially after the team underperformed with an underpowered Honda engine, Alonso's exasperation used to spill out over the team radio in sarcastic remarks. His now-infamous "GP2 engine, GP2!" remark at Honda's home grand prix in Japan succinctly summed up his total dissatisfaction with the lack of power. His other remarks, such as his dry comment, "The engine feels good, much slower than before. Amazing," also captured his frustration. Even a simple message like "AY AY AY AY AY" during the 2014 Brazilian Grand Prix said it all about his frustration. These sarcastic outbursts tended to signal times when Alonso's faith in the team's capacity to give him competitive machinery or carry out a successful race strategy had diminished, resulting in public venting of his frustration on the radio. Though even the most successful duo like Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase's occasionally contain sometimes confrontational debates, persistent frustration and sarcasm tend to reveal more underlying problems in the driver-engineer relationship or wider team dynamics.

Formula 1 teams tend to prefer stability in their driver-race engineer pairings, recognizing the worth of a long-established and trusting relationship. But when a partnership continually fails to yield desired outcomes, teams will contemplate a change. Teams will often decide this on the grounds of consistent underperformance on the part of the driver, which may lead the team to wonder whether the engineer is doing a good enough job of bringing out the best in them. By way of contrast, however, if there is felt to be an inadequacy in the technical acumen or the communications skill of the engineer, then, equally, change can be caused. Occasionally a change in the race engineers can also be thought of as reawakening an encouragement within the driver, or a shakeup given the consideration for further major action which replacing the driver involves. With the high-profile status of race engineers in contemporary Formula 1, their performance and the relationships they have with their drivers are constantly under the spotlight. The many driver-race engineer combinations that have been re-jigged for the 2025 season highlight the continuous efforts of teams to maximize these key relationships, especially with new regulations and lineups of drivers.

To understand the driver-engineer relationship in a modern context, the words of Will Joseph, Lando Norris's race engineer and now also McLaren's Director of Race Engineering, provide useful insight. Looking back on their experience together, Joseph spoke of the deep emotions involved in Norris's first Formula 1 win in Miami. He remembered the close call in Russia in 2021, highlighting the shared moments and relief at finally getting that breakthrough victory. Joseph also discussed the vital aspect of trust within their relationship, mentioning the value of knowing when to share information with Norris and when to merely "leave him to it," so the skilled driver can trust in his own judgment and abilities. The fruitful working relationship of Lando Norris and Joseph illustrates the strong emotional attachment and long-term relationship development between a driver and engineer, particularly as they achieve major milestones together.

A test to the relationship between Norris and Joseph came in Hungary 2024. Although the team finished with a 1-2, it was done with a lot of tension not just between the drivers, but also within the team as a whole. The team pitted Norris first twice to defend against the seven time world champion, and in doing so, gave the undercut to the race leader, Oscar Piastri. Due to this undercut, Norris was leading the race, and was completely focused on getting his second win of the season, especially after being pushed into a title fight against Max Verstappen. However, the radio messages exchanged between Jospeh and Norris were tense and some would even say "emotionally manipulating". Joseph repeatedly asked Norris to "re-establish the order at your convenience" and reminded him that "the way to win a championship is not by yourself. You're going to need Oscar and you're going to need the team" which emphasised the concern of the team and the unwillingness of Norris. Although, post race, Norris admitted that he should have allowed his teammate through earlier, it does not change the fact that the race engineer put his driver in a position where he had to make split second decisions while driving a car at 300 km/h. In high pressure situations like these, a driver must be able to completely trust his race engineer, and it is possible that Norris may have lost some respect and trust for Joseph. As seen in the Australian Grand Prix 2025, where Norris seemed to pick his own strategies, and telling his race engineer what he wanted to do, it could be that the relationship between the two has cracked just a little bit permanently.

In a major milestone for diversity in motorsports, Laura Muller has become the first woman to be employed full-time as a race engineer in Formula 1, and joins the Haas team alongside Esteban Ocon. Promoted from within the Haas team where she previously worked as a performance engineer, Muller's achievement represents a landmark moment in what has largely been a male-dominated sector. Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu has lauded Muller's work ethic, determination, and profound knowledge of engineering concepts, highlighting that she was appointed strictly on merit and her capacity to optimize the performance of the team. While Muller's success is record-breaking, it also marks an evolving trend of increased gender presence in technical and strategic positions on Formula 1 teams. Her appearance on the pit wall is an inspiration to aspiring female engineers and reflects the sport's continued endeavors to make the sport more inclusive.

The interaction between a Formula 1 driver and their race engineer is more than the simple radio give-and-take of facts. It is an intimate and central collaboration based upon a foundation of trust, co-ordinated strategy, and communications. Though the drivers are the glamourized heroes who capture the headlines, their achievements frequently manifest deep ties to the technical know-how, advice, and steadfast backing offered by their race engineers. These often unseen voices within the cockpit are a silent force in operating the hot-house environment of Formula 1, determining the destination of the events on the track and bringing into sharp focus the human factor that informs this technology-driven sport.