User:F1 Fanatic11
Pierre Hamelin | |
|---|---|
| Born | France |
| Occupation | Formula 1 Race Engineer |
| Years active | 2009–present |
Pierre Hamelin is a Formula 1 race engineer, currently working with the Visa Cash App RB F1 Team. He is best known for his work with a variety of top-tier drivers, including Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz Jr., Daniel Ricciardo, and the up-and-coming talent Liam Lawson. Hamelin has had a distinguished career in motorsport, contributing to several high-profile moments in Formula 1.
Career Overview
[edit]Pierre Hamelin’s career in motorsport began with a deep passion for both racing and engineering. His professional journey has seen him move through multiple teams and positions, allowing him to develop a reputation as a key figure in the Formula 1 engineering world. He is known for his methodical approach to race engineering, focusing not only on optimising the performance of the car but also on ensuring the driver is mentally and physically prepared to deliver their best performance.
Pierre has always been fascinated by the world of motorsports and new that it was something he was always destined to do evident by his appearance on the Scuderia AlphaTauri Team Podcast Tauri Talk where he sat down with his driver at the time Pierre Gasly to answer some of the most asked questions about him and the role as an engineer.
Hamelin's engineering expertise came to the forefront in 2020, when he was pivotal in supporting Pierre Gasly’s victory at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. This was a historic win for the Scuderia AlphaTauri team, marking their first victory since the rebranding from Toro Rosso.
Throughout 2023, Hamelin faced a turbulent season with the team, working with multiple drivers. The year began with rookie Nyck de Vries, who was replaced after just 10 races by the experienced Daniel Ricciardo. Ricciardo suffered a wrist injury at the Dutch Grand Prix, leading to a brief spell with reserve driver Liam Lawson, who would later replace Ricciardo full-time in 2024 after Ricciardo's underperformance relative to teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
In 2024, Hamelin continues his role with the Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, guiding Lawson as the primary race engineer after Ricciardo's departure.
Career History
[edit]- 2009–2012: Renault GP – R&D Engineer
- 2012–2014: Lotus F1 Team – Race Support Engineer
- 2014–2016: Scuderia Toro Rosso – Performance Engineer (2014–2015), Race Engineer (2016)
- 2020–2024: Scuderia AlphaTauri – Race Engineer
- 2024–Present: Visa Cash App RB F1 Team – Race Engineer
Drivers Coached
[edit]Throughout his career, Hamelin has coached several drivers, many of whom have gone on to achieve significant success in Formula 1 and other racing series:
- Carlos Sainz Jr. (2016–2017)
- Brendon Hartley (2018–2019)
- Pierre Gasly (2020–2022)
- Nyck de Vries (2023)
- Daniel Ricciardo (2023–2024)
- Liam Lawson (2024–Present)
Education
[edit]Pierre Hamelin holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard ((2006–2009). He also spent a year studying Mechanical Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in 2008 as part of an exchange program.Educational History
Personal Life
[edit]Pierre Hamelin is known for maintaining a relatively private personal life, though he has been an active advocate for the importance of engineering within Formula 1. He frequently speaks about the complex and highly specialised role engineers play in the sport, highlighting their contribution not just to car performance, but also to the success of drivers on the track.