In a significant shift for the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season, Lewis Hamilton will be collaborating with a new race engineer, as Riccardo Adami transitions to a different role within the Ferrari Academy. This change marks the end of Adami’s brief tenure as Hamilton's race engineer, which lasted only a single season.
The announcement from Ferrari confirmed that Adami has now taken on a position in the Ferrari Driver Academy, where he will serve as the Manager for the Driver Academy and Test Previous Cars. This role will allow him to leverage his extensive experience on the track and deep understanding of Formula 1 to nurture emerging talent and enhance the performance culture within the academy.
Adami first joined Hamilton's team after the seven-time World Champion replaced Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in 2025. However, the duo faced a challenging season which featured numerous tense moments over radio communications. In light of these difficulties and the overall demanding nature of their partnership, the decision was made to revamp Hamilton’s engineering support.
A statement from Scuderia Ferrari expressed gratitude towards Adami for his dedication and contributions during his time in the role, wishing him success in this new chapter of his career. They have also indicated that details regarding Hamilton’s new race engineer for car #44 will be revealed soon.
Riccardo Adami’s journey in Formula 1 began with Minardi in the early 2000s, where he remained as the team evolved into Toro Rosso, working with notable drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo. He joined Ferrari in 2015, initially reuniting with Vettel before partnering with Sainz and later, Hamilton.
With this transition at Ferrari, fans are left wondering: what impact will this change have on Hamilton’s performance moving forward? And how will Adami’s new role shape the future of Ferrari's rising drivers? These questions spark a conversation about the intricacies of team dynamics in F1. What are your thoughts on this development? Do you think this change will benefit Hamilton or hinder his progress? Share your views in the comments!
