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Hamilton ‘Hugely Disadvantaged’ as Ferrari’s First Major 2026 Call Raises Fresh Concerns
Lewis Hamilton’s preparations for the all-important 2026 Formula One season have come under renewed scrutiny after Ferrari’s first key decision for next year was interpreted as a potential setback for the seven-time world champion.
Former F1 race winner Ralf Schumacher has suggested that Ferrari’s choice to maintain continuity on Hamilton’s side of the garage could leave the British driver at a disadvantage heading into a campaign that may prove decisive for both his Ferrari future and his wider F1 career.
At the heart of the debate is Ferrari’s apparent decision to keep Riccardo Adami as Hamilton’s race engineer for the 2026 season. While stability is often viewed as a positive in Formula One, Schumacher believes that unresolved issues in communication between driver and engineer could significantly undermine Hamilton’s chances, particularly in a year defined by sweeping technical change.
Communication issues under the spotlight
Throughout the 2025 season, exchanges between Hamilton and the Ferrari pit wall attracted attention, with several radio messages highlighting moments of confusion, frustration, or misalignment during races. On numerous occasions, Hamilton questioned strategy calls or expressed dissatisfaction with the information he was receiving, prompting speculation that the working relationship with Adami was not yet fully settled.
These concerns appear to have carried over into discussions about 2026. Despite expectations that Ferrari might consider reshuffling personnel to give Hamilton a fresh start ahead of the new regulations, reports indicate the Scuderia is sticking with Adami. According to Schumacher, that decision could prove costly.
Speaking to German outlet Sport1, Schumacher was blunt in his assessment of the situation. “The chemistry isn’t right. That’s a huge disadvantage,” he said, underlining how critical trust and seamless communication are between a driver and their race engineer at the highest level of the sport.
Schumacher even joked that the pair might need to spend time away from the track together to fix the problem, quipping: “They should go on holiday together.” Behind the humour, however, was a serious warning about the impact of poor chemistry during a regulation reset.
Why 2026 raises the stakes
The 2026 season represents one of the biggest technical shake-ups in modern Formula One. New power unit rules, revised aerodynamics, and a shift in how cars generate performance are expected to dramatically alter driving characteristics.
For Schumacher, this context makes Ferrari’s decision even more significant. He believes that Hamilton, now in the latter stages of his career, could find it harder to adapt than his teammate Charles Leclerc if the car proves difficult to handle.
“The car will be more nervous,” Schumacher predicted, referring to the anticipated behaviour of the 2026 machines. In his view, this trait plays directly into Leclerc’s strengths while exposing one of Hamilton’s preferences.
“Leclerc can handle that,” Schumacher said. “Hamilton needs stability at the rear.”
Leclerc tipped to have the edge
Leclerc has long been praised for his ability to extract performance from sharp, reactive cars, particularly in qualifying. Schumacher’s comments suggest that Ferrari’s lead driver may be better suited to the demands of the new regulations, especially if the team’s 2026 car requires aggressive inputs and confidence on a knife-edge.
Hamilton, by contrast, has historically thrived in cars that offer strong rear stability, allowing him to manage tyres and race pace over long stints. If Ferrari’s 2026 concept leans toward a more twitchy setup, Schumacher believes it could tilt the internal balance of power further in Leclerc’s favour.
This assessment adds another layer of pressure to Hamilton’s Ferrari project. Having joined the iconic Italian team with the ambition of securing an unprecedented eighth world title, Hamilton faces the prospect that 2026 could be his final realistic shot—both at championship glory and possibly at extending his Formula One career.
A pivotal year for Hamilton and Ferrari
Ferrari’s decision to retain Adami may ultimately prove justified if the partnership clicks under the new rules. Continuity can help teams navigate regulation changes, and a deeper understanding between driver and engineer could still develop over time.
However, Schumacher’s critique highlights the risks involved. In a season where every detail will matter, any lingering communication issues could be magnified, particularly as teams race to interpret and exploit the new regulations.
For Hamilton, the message is clear: 2026 will demand rapid adaptation, strong internal cohesion, and absolute clarity on both sides of the garage. Without those elements, the former world champion may find himself fighting not only rival teams, but also circumstances within his own.
As Ferrari embarks on a new era and Hamilton approaches a defining chapter in his career, the success—or failure—of this early decision could shape the narrative of the 2026 Formula One season.
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