Ferrari replace Hamilton's race engineer amid turbulent first season in red

In a move that signals a decisive reset for both Lewis Hamilton and Scuderia Ferrari, the Italian marque has announced that Riccardo Adami will no longer serve as Hamilton's race engineer for the 2026 season, ending a partnership that lasted just 24 races and produced zero Grand Prix podiums. Adami, who previously engineered both Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, will transition into a new role within the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy as the team's Driver Academy and Test Previous Cars Manager.

The decision marks a definitive acknowledgment that Hamilton's debut season in red fell short of expectations—not merely in results, but in the crucial relationship between driver and engineer that underpins modern Formula 1 success.

A season defined by discord and disappointment

Hamilton's 2025 campaign at Ferrari was nothing short of challenging. The seven-time World Champion recorded no podium finishes for the first time in his career, while being outqualified by teammate Charles Leclerc on 19 occasions across 24 races. Most significantly, Hamilton finished 86 points behind Leclerc in the championship standings, a stark contrast to his dominant years at Mercedes.

Beyond the statistics, the relationship between Hamilton and Adami became a focal point of scrutiny, with tense radio exchanges broadcast to the global audience. Hamilton's exasperated communications—including pleas to "leave me to it" during Australia's opening race and accusations that Ferrari were taking "a tea break" during strategic moments at Miami—painted a picture of driver frustration and engineering miscommunication.

Despite these public tensions, both Hamilton and Ferrari maintained that the partnership was salvageable. However, the announcement suggests otherwise. This change represents more than a personnel shuffle; it symbolizes Ferrari's commitment to providing Hamilton with the optimal environment for his pursuit of an unprecedented eighth World Championship.

Adami's new role: shaping Ferrari's future talent

Rather than departing Ferrari entirely, Adami has been repositioned within the organization's driver development infrastructure. His transition to the role of Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy and Test Previous Cars Manager represents a recognition of his extensive trackside expertise and Formula 1 knowledge.

The Ferrari Driver Academy, overseen by Jerome d'Ambrosio, serves as a crucial pipeline for identifying and cultivating future F1 talent. The program currently includes rising stars such as Dino Beganovic and Rafael Camara, alongside F1 Academy competitors Maya Weug and Alba Larsen. The academy has historically produced championship-caliber drivers, including Charles Leclerc, Sergio Pérez, and most recently, Ollie Bearman.

In Ferrari's official statement, the team emphasized that Adami's role would leverage "his extensive trackside experience and Formula 1 expertise" to contribute "to the development of future talent and to strengthening performance culture across the program." This positioning highlights how Ferrari views Adami's transition—not as a demotion, but as a redirection of his considerable experience toward institutional development.

The contrast with Mercedes: why Bonnington didn't follow

Hamilton's transition to Ferrari was notably complicated by one significant absence: Peter 'Bono' Bonnington, Hamilton's longtime Mercedes race engineer who guided him to six of his seven World Championships. Despite Hamilton's efforts to persuade Bonnington to join him in Maranello, the veteran engineer chose to remain with Mercedes for the 2026 season.

This decision underscores the importance of continuity in driver-engineer relationships. Bonnington's presence might have smoothed Hamilton's integration at Ferrari, providing the familiar voice and established communication patterns that have defined his career. Instead, Hamilton entered his first season at Ferrari with Adami—a capable but ultimately incompatible partnership.

A critical 2026: the stakes have never been higher

The 2026 season represents a potential inflection point in Hamilton's F1 career. At 41 years old, this may be his final opportunity to compete at the sport's highest level, making an eighth World Championship not merely desirable but potentially his last realistic chance to secure it. The new technical regulations arriving in 2026 will level the playing field across the grid, creating uncertainty and opportunity for teams and drivers alike.

The appointment of a new race engineer will be crucial to Hamilton's success. Ferrari has promised to announce Adami's replacement "in due course," and the team's decision-making in this regard could prove decisive. The ideal candidate must combine technical acumen with the interpersonal chemistry that was so clearly absent between Hamilton and Adami—a delicate balance upon which championships are built.

With pre-season testing set to commence on January 26 behind closed doors at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, time is of the essence. Hamilton enters 2026 with renewed focus and organizational support, but the clock is ticking on his pursuit of motorsport's greatest achievement.