Chandhok questions 'strange' timing of Hamilton's Ferrari engineer change

F1 pundit Karun Chandhok has labeled Ferrari's decision to change Lewis Hamilton's race engineer just before the season as "strange," arguing the crucial move should have been finalized months earlier to allow the partnership to develop. The switch, moving Riccardo Adami to a new role, leaves Hamilton without a confirmed engineer for the 2026 campaign with testing already underway.

Why it matters:

The driver-engineer relationship is a critical, symbiotic partnership in Formula 1, directly impacting race strategy, car feedback, and in-race communication. A last-minute change disrupts the foundational trust and shorthand communication built over time, potentially putting a seven-time champion at an unnecessary disadvantage as he adapts to a new team and car.

The details:

• Ferrari confirmed Riccardo Adami would remain as Hamilton's engineer for 2026, only to announce his move to a new factory role just ahead of pre-season testing in Barcelona.
• Chandhok criticized the timing, stating the decision should have been made in December to give Hamilton and his new engineer the entire winter to build rapport through simulator work and planning.
• He likened the partnership to that of a tennis player and coach, emphasizing they "need to work in sync 24 hours a day" for success.
• The importance of the role is highlighted by iconic pairings like Hamilton's long-term partnership with Peter 'Bono' Bonnington at Mercedes and Max Verstappen's tight-knit work with Gianpiero Lambiase at Red Bull.

What's next:

Ferrari has yet to announce who will replace Adami on Hamilton's side of the garage. All eyes will be on how quickly the new partnership gels during the final pre-season tests and the opening races. Any early-season struggles in communication or strategy could be directly attributed to this delayed transition, putting immediate pressure on the Scuderia to integrate the new team member seamlessly.