Former Driver Questions Chemistry Between Hamilton and Ferrari Race Engineer

Former F1 driver Robert Doornbos suggests a 'lack of chemistry' between Lewis Hamilton and his Ferrari race engineer, Riccardo Adami, could be impacting Hamilton's performance. The seven-time champion, who joined Ferrari for the 2025 season, has yet to secure a Grand Prix podium, sitting sixth in the standings behind teammate Charles Leclerc.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's highly anticipated move to Ferrari was expected to inject new energy into the Scuderia's title aspirations. However, if the crucial driver-engineer relationship isn't gelling, it could significantly hinder Hamilton's ability to extract maximum performance from the car and challenge for wins, especially in a team known for intense pressure.

The Details:

• Robert Doornbos, speaking on The Pit Talk Podcast, claimed, "there is just no chemistry between the engineer and the driver" when discussing Hamilton and Adami.
• He specifically cited the handling of Hamilton's 10-second penalty at the Mexico Grand Prix as an example of their communication issues.
• Hamilton received the penalty for "leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage" during a battle with Max Verstappen.
• Doornbos suggested Ferrari could have instructed Hamilton to close the gap after rejoining the track to potentially avoid the penalty, highlighting a missed opportunity for optimization.
• Hamilton has managed a sprint race victory in China but has not yet reached the podium in a Grand Prix, a stark contrast to his past successes.
• He currently sits sixth in the drivers' standings with 146 points, while teammate Charles Leclerc is fifth with 210 points.

Between the lines:

The driver-engineer relationship is pivotal in modern F1, acting as the primary communication link for strategy, car adjustments, and real-time race management. A strong rapport allows for swift decision-making and optimal performance under pressure. A perceived lack of 'chemistry' could translate into miscommunications or a failure to fully exploit race situations, which is crucial for a driver of Hamilton's caliber aiming for championships.

What's next:

With the season progressing, all eyes will be on how the Hamilton-Adami partnership evolves. Improving this dynamic will be key for Hamilton to consistently challenge at the front and deliver on the high expectations surrounding his move to Ferrari. For Ferrari, ensuring seamless communication across all driver-engineer pairings is essential for their overall championship ambitions.