Lewis Hamilton may be facing a significant Ferrari disadvantage as tension grows in his working relationship with race engineer Riccardo Adami, according to Ralf Schumacher. This perceived lack of cohesion between Hamilton and Adami could undermine Ferrari’s performance ambitions in coming seasons, with doubts building for 2026 and beyond.
Concerns Raised Over Hamilton and Adami Partnership
Ralf Schumacher, known for his analysis on Sky F1, recently underscored the growing issues between Lewis Hamilton and Riccardo Adami, suggesting that the chemistry between the two is lacking. Schumacher pointed out that during the 2025 racing sessions, Hamilton repeatedly sounded frustrated over the team radio, either due to miscommunication or delayed and insufficient feedback from Adami, which affected his race performances.
The partnership between Hamilton and Adami stands in contrast to Hamilton’s former collaboration with Peter Bonnington, also called ‘Bono’, at Mercedes. That previous partnership was widely recognized as a model of team synergy, contributing to Hamilton’s seven world titles and Mercedes’ era of dominance. Comparisons have even been drawn between that dynamic and the one Max Verstappen enjoys with his Red Bull race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, both of whom are celebrated for their seamless teamwork.
Schumacher’s Advice and Observations
Speaking to F1-insider, Ralf Schumacher commented on a specific incident where Hamilton chose to address technical concerns publicly, discussing the return of technical reports to Maranello headquarters. Schumacher suggested Hamilton’s approach may not have been appropriate, highlighting the ongoing chemistry problem within the Ferrari camp.
“We all used to do that. The simulations were not so developed. Today it’s different. I don’t know if you should hold that against anyone. Hamilton should have made it a little less public. Basically, I think he and his engineer should go on vacation together. The chemistry doesn’t fit. That’s a huge disadvantage.”
– Ralf Schumacher, Analyst
Reports from Italian publication Auto Racer indicated that Lewis Hamilton and Riccardo Adami attempted to improve their working relationship during the offseason, reportedly having a positive dinner away from the track. Despite this effort, the duo are expected to continue as partners for the upcoming season, although uncertainties around their partnership remain given the recent friction.
Disappointment with Public Disputes at Ferrari
Schumacher also shared his disappointment regarding how Hamilton managed public discussions of his challenges at Ferrari in the past season. The seven-time champion frequently addressed his issues with the team openly in the media, especially following difficult qualifying sessions or race outcomes. Although Team Principal Frederic Vasseur consistently defended Hamilton, emphasizing a more professional tone from the driver in closed team meetings, Schumacher questioned whether this was enough to maintain harmony and effective internal communication at Ferrari.
The Broader Implications for Ferrari and Hamilton
The ongoing issues between Lewis Hamilton and Riccardo Adami highlight a critical vulnerability for Ferrari as they look to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving Formula 1 landscape. Strong chemistry and trust between a driver and race engineer have proven essential, as seen in championship-winning relationships like those between Hamilton and Bonnington, or Verstappen and Lambiase.
If Ferrari cannot resolve the current rift, the team could struggle to maximize their performance, exacerbating their Lewis Hamilton Ferrari disadvantage. Looking forward, much will depend on whether Hamilton and his engineer can rebuild their relationship and bring Ferrari the results they seek in the coming years.
