Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has recommended that Lewis Hamilton request a change in his race engineer at Ferrari, highlighting ongoing tensions between Hamilton and his current engineer, Ricciardo Adami. Montoya criticized Adami for not responding to Hamilton’s radio messages, fueling speculation over their strained relationship during the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, where Adami did not reply when Hamilton asked if he was upset. This moment intensified rumors of discord within the team.
Montoya, speaking to AS Colombia, stated that Hamilton may need to take a stronger stance and seek a new engineer to send a clear message to the team. He emphasized the importance of professionalism and warned that an unsupportive engineer could be harmful to both Hamilton and Ferrari.
“At some point, Lewis is going to have to get angry and suddenly ask for a change of engineers or something. Because if he makes a change of engineers, it would be good for the people around him to say, ‘Do I work with Lewis, or will he take me out’?”
“And that’s what Lewis needs at this point, because the engineer, the attitude of not answering the radio, you have to be more professional than that, and a person like that isn’t healthy for him [or the] team. If I were with Ferrari, I would have pulled his ears [Adami’s] and said, ‘You do that again, and you’ll be working at a desk in the offic’e.'”
Fan Responses Reflect Divided Opinions on Hamilton and Team Dynamics
Fans on social media expressed mixed reactions to Montoya’s suggestion of replacing Adami. Some believe that Ferrari’s internal structure and politics are the primary issues, with one fan stating that the problem lies “simply [with] Ferrari” and not the race engineer. Another user stressed that Hamilton is unlikely to remain with the team long enough for engineers to be changed, claiming
“Nobody is bigger than Ferrari; he leaves before engineers change.”
Other fans attributed Hamilton’s challenges to his standing compared with teammate Charles Leclerc, noting that being Ferrari’s number two driver makes it difficult for Hamilton’s concerns to be prioritized.
“The problem Lewis has with Ferrari is simply Ferrari. Nothing will change that,” a fan said.
“Nobody is bigger than Ferrari; he leaves before engineers change,” another user commented.
“The problem is the more Leclerc continues to outperform him, the more his needs won’t be listened to. He is currently the number 2 driver, and we hate it here,” a fan opined.
Conversely, some supporters agreed with Montoya’s assessment, criticizing Adami’s performance and suggesting that a change could benefit Hamilton. Comments pointed out that Adami has consistently delivered poor advice since his work with Sebastian Vettel and expressed hope that Hamilton might heed Montoya’s advice.
“Couldn’t agree more, Adami just isn’t good enough, petty and gives wrong info ever since Vettel; it’s been the same,” a comment read.
“Juan’s not an idiot… Maybe Lewis should give it a go!” a fan also said.
“His only good race this year was from the back of the grid so far, which is telling as well,” a user said.
Despite these issues, Hamilton has yet to finish on the podium in any Grand Prix this season, while Charles Leclerc has secured two third-place finishes, adding to the pressure on the seven-time world champion.
Hamilton Denies Rift, Affirms Strong Relationship with Race Engineer
Ahead of the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton publicly addressed rumors regarding his relationship with Ricciardo Adami, firmly rejecting suggestions of a split. Speaking to ESPN, Hamilton described their connection as positive and professional, emphasizing that disagreements are normal but manageable.
“There’s a lot of speculation. Most of it is B.S. Ultimately we have a great relationship. He’s been amazing to work with; he’s a great guy. Do we have disagreements? Like everyone does in relationships, but we work through them. It’s just all noise, and we don’t really pay any attention to it.”
Hamilton added that both he and Adami are dedicated to working tirelessly toward race wins and championship success, acknowledging that setbacks do not necessarily signal conflict within the team.
Implications of the Engineer Dispute on Ferrari’s Season and Team Cohesion
The tension between Hamilton and Adami could have broader consequences for Ferrari’s performance this season, especially as Hamilton struggles to match his teammate’s podium results. Montoya’s recommendation, whether acted upon or dismissed, highlights the pressure on both driver and team to maintain clear communication and professionalism under the intense spotlight of Formula 1.
How Ferrari manages the relationship between Hamilton and its race engineering staff may influence upcoming race strategies and internal morale. With the championship still ongoing, the importance of cohesive teamwork and strong driver–engineer partnerships remains paramount for Ferrari’s ambitions.
