Ferrari have strengthened their technical group by appointing Jasper van Schaick, a Dutch engineer who spent nearly eight years at Mercedes High Performance Powertrains during Lewis Hamilton’s championship-winning era. Van Schaick has joined the Scuderia’s chassis department as a vehicle systems specialist, creating a notable reunion with the seven-time world champion he previously supported from the power-unit side.
The move comes at a time when Ferrari continue to chase the performance gap that has defined much of their 2026 season.
### FROM MERCEDES HPP TO MARANELLO
Van Schaick joined Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains in 2018 and spent six years as a mechanical engineer, focusing on the design and integration of power-unit systems with the chassis. His work centred on reducing friction, maximising performance and ensuring reliable installation of the hybrid power unit. In September 2024 he progressed to a concept engineer role, developing new performance ideas while maintaining close collaboration with the chassis group. He held that position until May 2026.
His time at Mercedes coincided with Hamilton’s title successes in 2018, 2019 and 2020, giving him direct experience of what a championship-winning operation requires across both power-unit and chassis disciplines.
### A LATE CHANGE OF DIRECTION
According to Van Schaick’s own announcement, the decision to join Ferrari came after he had already prepared to return to the Netherlands following 11 years in the United Kingdom. A late change of plans redirected him to Maranello instead.
“After getting all things in order to return to the Netherlands, following 11 years in the UK, a late change of plans,” he wrote. “Engineering bits for a Formula 1 race car is fantastic. Collectively working to the same goal of winning races and championships never gets old. Something I would have missed if I would return to the Netherlands.
“I am really happy and grateful to share that I have started at Scuderia Ferrari. Time to push for a world championship again with the team. I’ll try my best.”
### FERRARI’S ONGOING POWER UNIT CHALLENGE
The appointment carries added significance given Ferrari’s well-documented power-unit deficit in 2026. Both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have pointed to a lack of straight-line performance relative to Mercedes and Red Bull as a limiting factor. While Van Schaick’s new role sits within the chassis department rather than the engine group, his deep experience of power-unit installation and system integration is likely to prove valuable as Ferrari look to extract greater overall efficiency from the package.
Ferrari have already taken two ADUO upgrades this season and are expected to introduce further aerodynamic developments. Closing the performance gap, however, remains the central challenge heading into the final races and the next regulatory cycle.
### A FAMILIAR FACE FOR HAMILTON
Hamilton left Mercedes at the end of 2025 to begin a new chapter with Ferrari. The arrival of an engineer who contributed to the technical environment during his most successful years adds a layer of continuity at a time when the team is still refining its direction. While one appointment will not transform the car overnight, it signals Ferrari’s intent to bring in proven expertise from rival organisations.
### WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE FUTURE
Van Schaick’s move forms part of Ferrari’s broader effort to strengthen its technical foundations. With the constructors’ championship gap to Mercedes still substantial and the drivers’ standings led by Kimi Antonelli, the Scuderia need incremental gains across every department.
For Hamilton, the presence of a former Mercedes colleague may provide an additional point of technical understanding as the team continues to develop the current car and prepare for 2027. For Ferrari, it represents another step in the ongoing process of closing the gap to the front of the grid.
The Dutch engineer has made his ambition clear: to push for race wins and championships once again. At Maranello, that challenge is considerable. The expertise he brings from Mercedes will now be tested in red.
