Breaking: Adami and Hamilton part ways as Ferrari…read more
Adami and Hamilton Split as Ferrari Reshapes Engineering Team Ahead of 2026
Ferrari have confirmed a significant change behind the scenes ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, announcing that Riccardo Adami will no longer serve as Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer. The decision brings an end to a closely watched partnership that lasted just one season and had frequently been placed under the spotlight during Hamilton’s debut year in red.
Hamilton and Adami were paired together for the 2025 campaign following the seven-time world champion’s blockbuster move from Mercedes to Ferrari. However, their working relationship quickly became a topic of discussion throughout the season, as a number of tense radio exchanges during race weekends prompted questions about communication, chemistry, and operational alignment on the pit wall.
With Ferrari preparing for a major regulation shift in 2026, the team has opted to make early structural changes rather than carry unresolved issues into a critical new era for the sport.
In an official statement, Scuderia Ferrari HP confirmed that Adami has been reassigned to a new position within the organisation rather than leaving the team entirely.
“Scuderia Ferrari HP announces that Riccardo Adami has moved to a new role within the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy as Driver Academy and Test Previous Cars Manager,” the statement read. “In this role, Riccardo’s extensive trackside experience and Formula 1 expertise will contribute to the development of future talent and help strengthen performance culture across the programme.”
Ferrari also expressed gratitude for Adami’s work on the F1 pit wall, acknowledging his long-standing service to the team.
“Scuderia Ferrari HP would like to thank Riccardo for his commitment and contribution to his trackside role and wishes him every success in his new position,” the statement added. “The appointment of the new race engineer for car #44 will be announced in due course.”
The announcement confirms that Ferrari are still finalising who will work most closely with Hamilton as his on-track voice and strategic partner next season—one of the most crucial roles in a driver’s performance and comfort within a team.
A Veteran Engineer with a Long F1 Pedigree
Riccardo Adami is one of the most experienced race engineers in the paddock, with a Formula 1 career that spans more than two decades. He began his journey in the sport in 2002 with Minardi, where he steadily rose through the ranks before becoming a race engineer.
When Red Bull acquired the team and rebranded it as Toro Rosso, Adami remained in place and worked with several notable drivers, including Daniel Ricciardo, Sébastien Buemi, and future four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
In 2015, Adami followed Vettel to Ferrari, serving as the German’s race engineer during his time at Maranello before Vettel’s eventual move to Aston Martin. Following that chapter, Adami became Carlos Sainz’s race engineer from 2021 onward, playing a key role in overseeing all four of the Spaniard’s grand prix victories with the Scuderia.
His reassignment marks the end of a highly influential era on Ferrari’s pit wall.
Hamilton’s Transition Continues
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari in 2025 represented one of the most dramatic driver moves in Formula 1 history. However, his transition came with notable changes, including the absence of his long-time Mercedes race engineer, Peter Bonnington, who did not make the switch to Maranello.
Adami was subsequently confirmed as Hamilton’s race engineer during the Briton’s first appearances at Ferrari’s headquarters, but the partnership never fully escaped scrutiny throughout the season.
With Ferrari now opting for a reset ahead of 2026, attention will quickly turn to who the team selects to guide Hamilton through the next phase of his Ferrari career—one that could define the final chapter of an already legendary Formula 1 legacy.
About The Author
