The driver/race engineer relationship is one of the most crucial in any racing team — consider the sustained success of pairings such as Max Verstappen/Gianpiero Lambiase and Lando Norris/Will Joseph. When it doesn’t click, results and confidence can suffer, as recent changes at Ferrari illustrate. James Hinchcliffe explains the qualities drivers value most in their ideal race engineer.
Clear, concise communication
– Engineers must translate complex data into simple, actionable direction. Drivers need short, unambiguous instructions during a lap and coherent, prioritized feedback between sessions. Poor communication wastes time and trust.
Trust and personal chemistry
– Mutual trust lets a driver commit to a setup or strategy without second-guessing. Chemistry keeps the relationship resilient under pressure; drivers perform best when they believe their engineer genuinely understands them and has their back.
Technical competence and problem-solving
– Deep understanding of vehicle dynamics, tyres, aero and setup means the engineer can propose solutions quickly and credibly. The best engineers identify root causes, not just symptoms, and iterate efficiently during a weekend.
Calmness under pressure
– Races and qualifying are high-stress. Engineers who stay composed, focused and decisive help drivers maintain concentration and confidence when everything is on the line.
Strategic thinking and racecraft awareness
– Beyond setup, engineers must read the race: timing pit stops, tyre choices, undercut/overcut opportunities, and reacting to safety cars or changing weather. Good race engineers see the big picture and adapt strategy in real time.
Honesty and direct feedback
– Drivers respect engineers who tell them the truth — even if it’s uncomfortable. Constructive, candid feedback about performance and setup builds credibility and accelerates improvement.
Preparation and organisation
– Thorough pre-event planning, robust run plans and contingency options make weekends run smoothly. Preparation reduces wasted laps and helps extract performance in limited track time.
Telemetry and data interpretation
– Engineers must extract relevant insights from telemetry and present them in a way drivers can act on. It’s as important to know what to ignore as what to pursue.
Adaptability and innovation
– Conditions change, rules evolve, and competitors adapt. Engineers who experiment intelligently and learn quickly provide a competitive edge.
Consistency and reliability
– Consistent messages and stable processes let drivers build a comfortable baseline. Reliability in decision-making and setup choices breeds confidence over a season.
Emotional intelligence and leadership
– The role requires managing people — mechanics, strategists and the driver. Empathy, the ability to manage emotions and calm teammates under pressure, is essential.
Pacing and timing of information
– Knowing when to coach, when to radio concise instructions, and when to let the driver focus is a subtle but critical skill.
Prioritisation and focus
– Engineers must prioritise fixes and changes that deliver the biggest gains for the time available. Overloading a driver with minor tweaks distracts from performance.
Respect for driving style and risk tolerance
– Not every driver wants the same setup or approach. Successful engineers tailor solutions to suit the driver’s style and appetite for risk, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all technical philosophy.
A willingness to share credit and take responsibility
– Good engineers protect their drivers and take responsibility when things go wrong, while also sharing praise when performance succeeds. That mutual respect strengthens team cohesion.
In short
– The ideal race engineer blends technical mastery with excellent communication, calm leadership, honesty and emotional intelligence. When those qualities align with a driver’s personality and needs, the partnership becomes a force multiplier — often visible in the most consistent championship challenges.