Hamilton, Adami to Continue Partnership at Ferrari Despite Tensions

Ferrari has reportedly decided that Lewis Hamilton will continue working with his race engineer, Riccardo Adami, for the 2026 season. This choice comes after a year filled with on-air awkwardness and visible frustration from the seven-time world champion, who had previously demanded changes to his team environment. The decision to maintain the pairing was allegedly made during a post-season dinner, signaling a commitment to making the relationship work.

Why it matters:

The synergy between a driver and their race engineer is fundamental to extracting maximum performance on race weekends. For a team investing heavily in a superstar like Hamilton, resolving communication issues is not just a matter of personal comfort but a critical component for challenging for wins and championships. A fractured relationship can lead to strategic errors, poor car setup, and a demotivated driver, all of which can derail a title bid.

The details:

• Awkward Communications: Radio exchanges between Hamilton and Adami throughout the season were frequently described as clumsy and out of sync, often resulting in a frustrated response from the British driver.
• Demand for Change: Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton publicly urged Ferrari to make changes to his "personal environment," hinting that his future satisfaction depended on it.
• Post-Race Silence: After the final race of the season, Hamilton's emotional message to the team was initially met with silence from Adami, prompting a frustrated reaction from the driver before Adami apologized and thanked him.
• Team's Decision: Despite the clear tension, a report from Autoracer.it states Ferrari has opted to retain Adami, choosing to give the partnership another year to gel rather than making a mid-term change.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to whether Hamilton and Adami can build a more effective working relationship during the off-season. With the 2026 regulations bringing massive changes, a strong and united front will be more crucial than ever. All eyes will be on their interactions during pre-season testing to see if the reported decision to stick together has paid off, or if the underlying tensions will resurface under the pressure of a new championship fight.