Lewis Hamilton parts ways with race engineer Riccardo Adami
Lewis Hamilton and race engineer Riccardo Adami have formally parted ways ahead of the 2026 Formula One campaign, reports BritPanorama.
The separation follows a troubled debut season for the seven-time world champion at Ferrari, during which he failed to secure a single podium finish. Hamilton finished the 2025 championship in sixth place.
Car issues and mistakes compounded his woes throughout the year. Radio disagreements between Hamilton and Adami became a recurring theme, highlighting a fundamental disconnect within the garage. Their most public falling-out occurred at the Miami Grand Prix, where Hamilton expressed frustration at being unable to overtake teammate Charles Leclerc. As pit wall deliberations began, Hamilton’s patience snapped, remarking: “Have a cup of tea while you’re at it.”
The fractious relationship was evident from the very first race in Australia, with Hamilton often instructing his engineer to step back and allow him to handle matters himself. The partnership’s failure came despite strong endorsements from Sebastian Vettel, who had shared insights about life at Ferrari with Hamilton before the latter’s £60 million-a-year switch.
Ferrari confirmed the news recently, announcing that Adami had been reassigned to the team’s Driver Academy, where he can use his Formula One experience to support emerging talent. The team expressed gratitude for Adami’s contributions and wished him success in his new role. Regarding Hamilton’s new race engineer for 2026, Ferrari noted that this information would be revealed in due course, although Peter Bonnington — Hamilton’s trusted former engineer from Mercedes — has been ruled out as he remains settled in his role at Brackley.
This latest development serves as a pointed reminder of how personal dynamics can influence even the most skilled drivers. With a fresh start on the horizon, all eyes will be on Hamilton as he seeks to rejuvenate his career amidst the shifting sands of Formula One. Whether this new chapter brings the revival Hamilton craves remains to be seen, but the narrative twists of the sport rarely fail to entertain.
