HINCHCLIFFE: What are the key qualities a driver is looking for in a race engineer?

We asked F1 TV analyst and IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe what exactly makes that relationship work, and the key traits a driver looks for in their ideal race engineer.

Feb 26, 2026 5:37pm UTC

IndyCar Race Winner and AnalystJames Hinchcliffe

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 26: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and

The driver/race engineer relationship is one of the most crucial in any racing team – just look at the success the Max Verstappen/Gianpiero Lambiase and Lando Norris/Will Joseph partnerships have enjoyed. It hasn’t worked out in the same way for Lewis Hamilton since his switch to Ferrari, and last month the team announced he will no longer be working with Riccardo Adami.

We asked F1 TV analyst and IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe what exactly makes that relationship work, and the key qualities a driver looks for in their ideal race engineer.

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HINCHCLIFFE: What are the key qualities a driver is looking for in a race engineer?

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