Scuderia Ferrari has taken decisive action following a challenging debut season for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, announcing a change in his race engineering team for the 2026 campaign.
A Partnership That Failed to Gel
Riccardo Adami has been removed from his position as Hamilton's race engineer after just one year in the role. The Italian engineer, a long-serving member of the Ferrari team, has reportedly been reassigned to a new position within the Ferrari Driver Academy and the team's programme for testing previous cars (TPC).
The move comes after a 2025 season widely regarded as disastrous for Hamilton, who failed to secure a single podium finish after his high-profile switch from Mercedes. Sources close to the team indicate that the crucial relationship between driver and engineer never positively developed, with miscommunication becoming a frequent issue.
Communication Breakdowns from the Start
Observers noted strained and confusing exchanges over team radio throughout the season, with problems evident from the very first race in Australia. This lack of synergy is believed to have significantly hampered Hamilton's ability to adapt to the car and optimise performance during Grands Prix.
Ferrari has confirmed that an announcement regarding a new race engineer for car number 44 will be made in due course. The timing of this change gives the new partnership just seven weeks to establish itself before the 2026 season begins.
Pressure Mounts for 2026
This engineering shake-up underscores the intense pressure on Ferrari to deliver a competitive package for Hamilton's second year with the team. The marque will be hoping that a fresh voice on the radio and a reset in the working relationship can unlock the performance that was so conspicuously absent in 2025.
All eyes will now be on who Ferrari selects for this pivotal role, as they attempt to rebuild momentum and provide their star driver with the support needed to return to the front of the grid.
