In a surprising development ahead of the Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 2026 season, Ferrari has chosen to retain Riccardo Adami as his race engineer. Despite prior friction during their first year together, the Scuderia’s decision signals a renewed commitment to consistency as they approach major regulation changes in Formula 1.
Rocky First Season Together Sets the Stage
When Lewis Hamilton, the renowned seven-time world champion, joined Ferrari for the 2025 season, many in the F1 community expected a seamless transition. However, the partnership between Hamilton and Adami quickly became turbulent. Their issues surfaced as early as the Australian Grand Prix, where miscommunication left Hamilton frustrated and fans shocked, noticing the lack of vital information provided at critical points.
The tension intensified during the Miami Grand Prix, when Hamilton, grappling with dense traffic behind his teammate Charles Leclerc, bluntly suggested to Adami to “have a cup of tea.” This incident drew public attention to the growing divide. The struggles persisted through the Monaco GP, with Hamilton questioning, “Are you annoyed at me?”—an exchange complicated when it was later clarified that Adami had already left the pit wall, not responding to Hamilton’s inquiry.
Ferrari Assesses Hamilton’s Support Amid Performance Concerns
In the aftermath of these high-profile challenges, Ferrari’s team principal Fred Vasseur signaled a review of Hamilton’s supporting team to enhance future results. Despite talk of internal changes, reports from the Italian publication Auto Racer revealed that a “very positive” dinner between Hamilton and Adami influenced the final decision to keep Adami in the critical race engineer role.
The Stakes for 2026: Regulation Changes and Career Pressure
The move is crucial as Ferrari prepares for sweeping regulatory updates set for 2026, hoping these measures will propel them back into contention for the championship. Hamilton, driven by the urgency to redeem a lackluster 2025 campaign, faces mounting pressure to perform. The community noted his sixth-place finish in the drivers’ standings—an 86-point gap behind teammate Charles Leclerc—and one of the most challenging stretches of his career, marked by an absence of podium finishes throughout the season.
Struggles in qualifying sessions, including three Q1 eliminations in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, have intensified the scrutiny on Hamilton as he looks to rebuild momentum for
“what could be his last year”
with Ferrari. The dynamics with Adami may prove pivotal in reversing his fortunes in the upcoming F1 battle.
Outlook: Can Hamilton and Adami Deliver a Turnaround?
Ferrari’s strategy will unfold under the close watch of fans, media, and rivals alike. With both Hamilton and Adami under significant pressure to excel, their ability to repair and strengthen their professional relationship could determine Ferrari’s trajectory in the 2026 season. The Formula 1 world will be keenly observing whether they can translate experience and renewed collaboration into meaningful results, as speculation abounds over Hamilton’s future and Ferrari’s chase for the title.
