Ferrari Moves Hamilton's Race Engineer Adami to Academy Role

Riccardo Adami has been removed from Lewis Hamilton's race engineer role and reassigned to a position within the Ferrari Driver Academy. The move follows a challenging 2025 season where Hamilton failed to secure a podium for the first time in his career, with communication issues over the team radio cited as a significant friction point.

Why it matters:

The synergy between a driver and their race engineer is the backbone of race strategy and performance. Hamilton's frustration with Adami was palpable throughout the season, often leading to confused strategic calls. As Ferrari enters a massive regulatory reset in 2026, ensuring Hamilton has a clear communication line is essential to leveraging his experience and returning to the front of the grid.

The details:

• New Role: Adami will serve as the "Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy and Test Previous Cars Manager," utilizing his trackside experience to develop young talent.
• 2025 Struggles: Hamilton's transition to Maranello was rocky, struggling with an uncompetitive car and a disconnect with his engineering crew.
• Radio Static: Multiple instances during race weekends highlighted a lack of understanding between Hamilton and Adami, prompting this structural change.
• Replacement: Ferrari has not yet named a successor for the #44 car, but an announcement is expected soon.

What's next:

The clock is ticking toward the 2026 season opener. Ferrari is set to unveil its new livery on February 18, with pre-season testing kicking off in Barcelona shortly after. With new engine and chassis regulations leveling the playing field, the team will hope a new engineer pairing unlocks Hamilton's full potential for a title charge.