Ferrari’s lead driver Lewis Hamilton spoke publicly for the first time after testing the team’s new SF-26 model, hinting at tensions with his former race engineer Riccardo Adami. The 41-year-old driver, happy to connect with fans at the Fiorano Circuit during Ferrari’s car launch last Friday, appeared rejuvenated despite a demanding testing agenda looming ahead. Excitement also surrounded Hamilton as Ferrari announced important staffing changes for the upcoming Formula 1 season in 2026.
Hamilton’s debut year with Ferrari faced numerous challenges, notably a strained working relationship with Adami, who had taken over Hamilton’s race engineer duties. Previously known for his strong coordination with long-time engineer Peter Bonnington, Hamilton found communication with Adami difficult, which frequently surfaced in media reports about team radio frustrations and operational disconnects.
Hamilton Signals a Fresh Start with New Engineering Support for 2026
Prior to Ferrari’s first pre-season run with the 2026 car, it was confirmed that Riccardo Adami would transition to a different role within the Scuderia, while Hamilton would be assigned a new race engineer. The seven-time world champion remained quiet on social media about the personnel update but seemed to address the situation implicitly during his initial 2026 season interview with F1.com.
Reflecting on his first experience in the SF-26, Hamilton stated,
“It’s been such a focus on resetting, having a good break – even though it’s been the shortest one we’ve ever had, it was just what was needed – and I think just learning new patterns and undoing patterns, and removing things that don’t serve me or bring the right energy, making sure you’re just showing up in the right way.”
This remark appeared to acknowledge a conscious effort to eliminate elements that did not contribute positively to his performance or mindset.
Hamilton expressed optimism about the challenges ahead:
“So I’m excited about the first test – obviously today you don’t get to push it, but it feels cool at Ferrari. But obviously next week we’ll start to try and stretch the legs and see what this new generation of car is going to bring to all of this.”
Looking at the competitive field, he added,
“And then it’s kind of knowing what other people have, what cars, what tricks that other people may or may not have, and what concepts and all those sort of things, and I think for us just keeping our heads down and focusing on our job.”
The team feels refreshed, and [there’s been] so much work from so many different departments here – it’s awesome to see, so we’re going to take this energy and just take it one day at a time.
?Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Driver
Ferrari Prepares for Testing Ahead of the 2026 F1 Season
Although Ferrari chose not to run on the first day of private pre-season testing in Barcelona, Hamilton and the Scuderia are scheduled to participate fully in the mandatory three days of on-track activity starting Tuesday. These sessions will be crucial for extracting the SF-26’s potential and fine-tuning the car’s performance before the season begins.
With the notable change in engineering personnel and an air of renewed focus within Ferrari’s multiple departments, Hamilton’s 2026 campaign looks poised for a reset after a turbulent first year. The driver’s comments suggest he is embracing this fresh start with a concentration on positive energy and improved collaboration, which could have major implications for both his results and the team’s competitiveness.
