In a stunning move that sent ripples through both Formula 1 and the Supercars paddock, Ferrari’s senior performance engineer, Riccardo Corte — a trusted member of Lewis Hamilton’s technical entourage — has officially left Maranello to join Australia’s Grove Racing. The Italian veteran, with over a decade of F1 experience, will now serve as race engineer to 20-year-old Australian rookie Kai Allen, marking a dramatic transition from the world’s most glamorous racing team to a grittier, V8-fueled battleground.
Corte’s decision follows Grove Racing’s recent surge in reputation after its sensational Bathurst 1000 triumph, an underdog victory that defied expectations and redefined the team’s ambition. According to team principal Stephen Grove, the recruitment was sealed through F1 contacts who connected the team to Corte — a man eager for a fresh challenge far from the sterile precision of Formula 1. “He wanted something raw,” Grove said, hinting that the engineer was lured by the authenticity and unpredictability of Supercars competition.
The move also highlights Grove Racing’s growing global credibility. Once a mid-tier team, it now attracts top-level talent from motorsport’s elite ranks. With Corte’s arrival, Grove believes the team will not only refine its technical edge but also infuse Formula 1’s precision into the uniquely Australian intensity of Supercars. “He’s bringing with him an incredible depth of experience,” Grove said. “His influence will push us closer to championship contention.”
For Hamilton, the loss of Corte — his former chief performance engineer — is no small matter. The duo’s collaboration spanned the opening half of the 2025 F1 season, where Corte was instrumental in tuning Hamilton’s Ferrari machinery. Sources within Maranello describe the departure as “a surprise blow” to the team’s structure, though insiders admit Corte had long sought a more hands-on engineering role rather than the developmental post he was later reassigned to.
Meanwhile, for 20-year-old Kai Allen, the signing represents a golden opportunity. Fresh from podium finishes and already hailed as one of Supercars’ most promising newcomers, Allen now gains the mentorship of a man who has engineered at motorsport’s pinnacle. As Grove put it, “We’re not just building a car — we’re building a future.” And with an ex-Ferrari strategist now calling the shots from pit lane, that future might just arrive sooner than expected.
