Shocking Ferrari Fallout: Hamilton Urged to Axe Longtime En...

Shocking Ferrari Fallout: Hamilton Urged to Axe Longtime En…read more

In a dramatic twist to the ongoing saga at Ferrari, Formula 1 icon Juan Pablo Montoya has delivered a stunning verdict on Lewis Hamilton’s turbulent transition to the Italian team, going so far as to suggest the seven-time world champion should fire his race engineer, Riccardo Adami. According to Montoya, Hamilton must seize control of the unraveling situation at Ferrari before it further jeopardizes his already difficult season.

Montoya, known for his candid and no-nonsense analysis, didn’t mince words when addressing the crisis Hamilton currently faces. Since joining Ferrari from Mercedes, Hamilton has endured a rocky start, plagued by underwhelming results, persistent setup issues, and apparent communication breakdowns within the team. The lack of cohesion has raised serious concerns about the direction of the partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari, which was initially hyped as a potential dream team capable of dethroning Red Bull.

Now, just months into the collaboration, tensions are reportedly building behind the scenes. Montoya believes the solution starts with Hamilton asserting himself more forcefully. He argued that the British driver must adopt a leadership role within the team to ensure he isn’t sidelined or held back by internal inefficiencies.

“Lewis needs to take the reins—this is not the time to sit back and hope things fix themselves,” Montoya said in a recent interview. “He has the experience, the pedigree, and the right to demand better from those around him. If that means making uncomfortable decisions, then so be it.”

Most notably, Montoya raised eyebrows by suggesting that Hamilton might have to part ways with his race engineer, Riccardo Adami, a veteran engineer with strong ties to Ferrari’s previous drivers, including Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz. Adami, who has been a key figure at Ferrari for years, was seen as a stabilizing influence when Hamilton joined the team. However, Montoya now believes that their partnership may be more of a hindrance than a help.

“There are moments in a driver’s career when loyalty has to be set aside for performance,” Montoya explained. “If the communication between Hamilton and Adami isn’t crystal clear—or if there’s a lack of trust or synergy—that can cost precious tenths on the track. At this level, that’s unacceptable.”

Hamilton’s performances so far have fallen short of expectations. While the car’s performance has been inconsistent, Montoya suggests that the issues go deeper than just hardware. He alluded to missed opportunities in strategy, poor in-race decisions, and a lack of unity within the garage. These are precisely the types of issues a race engineer is supposed to mitigate. If that relationship is strained or ineffective, it could become a critical weakness in Ferrari’s structure.

Montoya’s call for drastic action comes at a time when Ferrari is under immense pressure. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur is facing growing scrutiny from the Italian press and global F1 fans, as Ferrari struggles to keep pace with championship rivals. The high-profile addition of Hamilton was meant to signal a new era of success—but instead, it’s exposed deeper problems.

If Montoya’s advice is heeded, it could signal a major internal shake-up. Firing a race engineer mid-season is no small move—it would mark a significant escalation in Hamilton’s influence within the team and would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the paddock.

While Hamilton himself has not commented on Montoya’s remarks, the implication is clear: the honeymoon period at Ferrari is over. With the season intensifying and Red Bull continuing to dominate, Hamilton may have no choice but to take control, even if that means making ruthless decisions to protect his legacy.

As the pressure mounts, all eyes will be on Ferrari and Hamilton. Will he follow Montoya’s advice and clean house—or will he risk being dragged down by a team that seems increasingly adrift? One thing is certain: something has to give.