Former Ferrari engineer criticises pit wall communication issues
Rob Smedley, the former Ferrari race engineer who worked alongside Felipe Massa, has delivered a pointed critique of delayed responses from the pit wall during races, reports BritPanorama.
Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Smedley expressed frustration with engineers who fail to provide immediate answers to drivers, highlighting challenges faced by Lewis Hamilton in his first year at Ferrari.
“It pains me when I hear ‘we’ll get back to you.’ This isn’t a call centre,” Smedley stated, emphasising the need for instant support as drivers operate at peak performance while reaching speeds of up to 200mph.
Smedley urged engineers to respond quickly, asserting that hesitant replies which suggest consultation with others “erode trust” and create tension in the working relationship. His comments coincide with Hamilton’s challenging season, where communication difficulties became apparent.
The seven-time world champion’s frustration peaked during a race when he sarcastically told his team to “have a tea break while you’re at it,” referencing sluggish decision-making regarding team orders. Smedley noted that when such comments are made over the radio, it indicates an unhealthy team dynamic.
Ferrari confirmed in January that Riccardo Adami would be reassigned to coordinate the Ferrari Driver Academy and manage testing of previous cars. Smedley drew parallels between the relationship of an engineer and driver to that of a head coach and athlete, emphasizing the need for both technical acumen and emotional intelligence.
“It’s really important that you understand how the car works, how the driver interacts with the vehicle, and how you optimise that whole package,” he explained, cautioning that technical competence alone is insufficient without recognising the human element involved.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has sought to downplay the situation, asking journalists to “please stop with this story.” He insisted that his private conversations with Hamilton suggest a different narrative, describing the British driver’s mindset as “very positive” and “very open to the relationship.”
Vasseur placed the current team dynamics within the broader context, noting the high turnover rate in Formula One teams, which often see numerous engineers change positions each year. “The team today is something like 1,500 people. It’s not about one race engineer,” Vasseur remarked, reiterating that success is a collective effort rather than reliant on individual efforts.
Ultimately, the intersection of communication and trust remains a focal point in Ferrari’s quest for competitiveness, illustrating how delicate the balance is between individual performance and team cohesion in the high-stakes world of Formula One.
