Lewis Hamilton is preparing for a turbulent beginning to the 2026 Formula 1 season after a last-minute change in his race engineering team at Ferrari. This disruption comes just days before the new car’s launch, as the seven-time world champion faces the challenge of adjusting to a new race engineer, raising questions about how this could impact his performance in the highly competitive season ahead.
Ferrari’s Unexpected Shift in Engineering Staff
Ferrari announced only a week before unveiling their 2026 car that Riccardo Adami, Hamilton’s longtime race engineer, will transition to a role at the team’s Driver Academy. The departure of Adami, who has been instrumental throughout Hamilton’s career, leaves a gap that will be temporarily filled by Carlo Santi—once Kimi Raikkonen’s race engineer—during the initial races and Bahrain testing period. This sudden personnel change introduces fresh challenges for Hamilton as he prepares for a disruptive start.
Hamilton’s Perspective on Engineering Changes during a Critical Season
The driver has openly expressed the difficulty of adapting to a short-term solution amid a set of sweeping rule changes impacting the sport. Reflecting on his current situation, Hamilton stated,
“It’s actually quite a difficult period because it’s not long term, the solution that I currently have,”
highlighting the temporary nature of working with Santi. He added,
“It’s only going to be a few races. So early on into the season, it’s going to all be switching up again, and I’ll have to learn to work with someone new.”
This transition challenges Hamilton’s desire for long-term cohesion with his engineering team, something he finds critical for success during seasons filled with technical and strategic complexities.
“A season where you want to arrive with people that have done multiple seasons, that have been through thick and thin – and I can’t,”
he lamented, underscoring a sense of instability just as the new campaign gears up.
Reflecting on the Departure of Riccardo Adami
Hamilton described the decision to move on from Adami as
“a very difficult decision to make,”
underscoring the respect and appreciation he holds for his former engineer. Throughout a challenging 2025 season, Adami’s steadfast commitment and patience were central to their working relationship. Hamilton acknowledged this, saying,
“I was really, really grateful for all the effort he put in last year,”
highlighting the strength of their partnership during difficult times.
What Lies Ahead for Hamilton and Ferrari in 2026
As the new season approaches, Hamilton faces the task of establishing chemistry with a temporary race engineer while navigating significant regulatory changes in Formula 1. This adjustment period will be critical in determining whether he can overcome the upheaval and deliver strong performances from the outset. The motorsport world remains eager to see how Hamilton will adapt to these disruptions and whether he can maintain his competitive edge amid evolving team dynamics and intense championship pressure.
