BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton Faces 'Demotion' in Key Role as Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton Faces ‘Demotion’ in Key Role as Ferrari Parts Ways with Race Engineer Ahead of Pivotal 2026 Season

In a significant shake-up at Scuderia Ferrari, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will no longer work with his 2025 race engineer, Riccardo Adami, for the upcoming 2026 campaign. The team officially announced on January 16, 2026, that Adami has been reassigned to a new position within the Ferrari Driver Academy and the private testing program, effectively marking a “demotion” for the long-time Ferrari engineer from one of the most high-profile roles on the pit wall.

This change comes after a tumultuous debut season for Hamilton in red, where the British driver endured his first podium-less campaign in his 19-year F1 career. Joining Ferrari from Mercedes in 2025 amid massive hype as a “dream move,” Hamilton struggled to adapt to the SF-25 car, which was consistently outpaced by frontrunners and even his teammate Charles Leclerc. Leclerc finished the season 84 points ahead of Hamilton, who ended sixth in the Drivers’ Championship as Ferrari slumped to fourth in the Constructors’ standings—without a single Grand Prix victory.

The partnership between Hamilton and Adami, a veteran engineer who previously worked with Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz, appeared strained throughout the year. Radio exchanges often revealed frustration, confusion over strategy, and tense moments. Notable incidents included Hamilton questioning Adami in Monaco (“Are you upset with me or something?”) with no immediate reply, and sharp exchanges in races like Miami and Abu Dhabi. Hamilton, known for his detailed feedback and close bond with former Mercedes engineer Peter “Bono” Bonnington, seemed to clash stylistically with the Italian engineer despite initial endorsements, including from Vettel himself.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged the need for improvement across the board, stating that progress must “come from everywhere,” including better collaboration with Hamilton. The decision to move Adami sideways—rather than outright dismiss him—signals Ferrari’s intent to reset key dynamics ahead of the massive 2026 regulation overhaul. The new rules introduce narrower cars, active aerodynamics, a shift to 50% electrical power in hybrid systems, and fully sustainable fuels, potentially resetting the competitive order.

Hamilton, now 41, has described 2025 as a “nightmare” and the “worst season ever,” but he remains determined. On his birthday earlier this month, he posted a rallying cry: “The time for change is now.” The seven-time champion is pushing hard for a stronger 2026, contributing to the development of the new SF-26 car, including a seat fit session at Maranello on January 18. Ferrari plans to unveil the car’s livery on January 23, followed by pre-season testing starting in Barcelona on January 26.

This engineer change has sparked widespread discussion among fans and analysts. Many view it as a positive step to eliminate friction and provide Hamilton with a fresh dynamic for the critical year ahead. However, some critics have pointed to the move as evidence of deeper struggles, with speculation that 2026 could make or break Hamilton’s Ferrari tenure—and possibly his F1 career. Former driver Derek Daly even suggested Hamilton consider retirement, calling it “sad to see his struggle” after a dominant era at Mercedes.

Despite the challenges, Hamilton’s legacy remains untouchable: joint-record seven titles, 105 wins, and countless records. Ferrari insists the partnership is long-term, with reports suggesting his contract extends beyond 2026, potentially to 2027 or 2028. The team is banking on the new regulations to return to title contention, and Hamilton has vowed not to follow the path of other champions like Fernando Alonso or Sebastian Vettel who failed to win titles at the Scuderia.

As pre-season testing looms, all eyes are on whether this “demotion” of Adami and the broader reset will unlock Hamilton’s potential in red. With major technical changes on the horizon, 2026 represents a genuine “now or never” opportunity for the iconic driver-team union to deliver the elusive eighth world championship. The coming months will reveal if the changes prove transformative—or if the struggles persist.

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Hugo Harvey

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