Lewis Hamilton and his Ferrari race engineer, Riccardo Adami, are poised to continue their professional partnership into the 2026 Formula 1 season. This decision comes despite a debut year at the Scuderia marked by visible frustration and several tense radio exchanges broadcast to a global audience.
A Rocky Debut Season at Maranello
Hamilton's first campaign with Ferrari proved to be a significant challenge for the seven-time world champion. The 2025 season concluded with a notable statistic: for the first time since his debut in 2007, the British driver finished a year without a single Grand Prix podium. While there were flashes of potential, such as a perfect Sprint weekend victory in China, the overall results were deeply disappointing.
One of the most prominent sources of difficulty was the communication with race engineer Riccardo Adami. Their strained dynamic became a recurring theme, played out over team radio. Instances included Hamilton telling Adami to "leave him to it" in Australia, suggesting he "have a tea break" during the Miami Grand Prix, and questioning team morale in Monaco with, "Are you guys upset with me or something?"
The Crucial Driver-Engineer Bond
The relationship between a driver and their race engineer is arguably one of the most critical in Formula 1. Precise, clear, and trusting communication can directly influence race strategy, car performance, and ultimately, results. Hamilton experienced this first-hand during his dominant era at Mercedes, where his long-term partnership with Peter 'Bono' Bonnington yielded six Drivers' Championships.
Similarly, reigning champion Max Verstappen benefits from a famously strong and understanding bond with his engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase. This context made the public friction between Hamilton and Adami all the more conspicuous and led to speculation that Ferrari might reassign the engineer.
A Private Dinner Secures the Partnership
However, according to reports from Italian publication AutoRacer, the pair's future has been secured following a private dinner meeting. The talks were described as 'very positive', leading to the expectation that Hamilton and Adami will continue to work together as Ferrari heads into the pivotal 2026 season.
The 2026 campaign will introduce a sweeping new set of technical regulations, including a complex battery system with multiple modes. This change is expected to place even greater emphasis and strain on the driver-engineer relationship, requiring a steep learning curve and flawless collaboration across the grid.
Looking Ahead to 2026
With the partnership now confirmed, the focus for Hamilton and Ferrari shifts entirely to the future. The team reportedly halted development on their 2025 car mid-season to concentrate resources on their 2026 concept. Hamilton will be hoping this early focus, combined with a more harmonious working relationship, will yield a car capable of returning him to the front of the grid and challenging for victories once more.
