Ferrari officially Confirms reshuffle as Lewis Hamilton set f…read more
Ferrari have officially confirmed a behind-the-scenes reshuffle ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, marking the end of Riccardo Adami’s role as Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer after just one year together.
The Scuderia announced that Adami, who partnered the seven-time world champion during his debut season in red in 2025, has been reassigned within the organisation. While Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello was one of the most high-profile moves in recent F1 history, his on-track relationship with Adami frequently came under the spotlight, particularly following a number of strained radio exchanges over the course of the season. Those moments fuelled speculation about whether the pairing had fully gelled under race conditions.
With Ferrari now looking ahead to the major regulation changes coming in 2026, the team has opted to make an adjustment to its trackside structure. Adami will remain part of Ferrari but will no longer work directly with Hamilton during race weekends.
In a statement released by the team, Ferrari confirmed Adami’s new position and thanked him for his contributions on the pit wall.
“Scuderia Ferrari HP announces that Riccardo Adami has transitioned to a new role within the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy as Driver Academy and Test Previous Cars Manager,” the statement read. “In this role, his extensive Formula 1 experience will support the development of young drivers and contribute to strengthening the performance culture of the programme.
“Scuderia Ferrari HP thanks Riccardo for his dedication and commitment in his trackside role and wishes him every success in this new chapter. The race engineer for car #44 will be announced in due course.”
The announcement confirms that Ferrari are taking a measured approach as they finalise Hamilton’s engineering setup for 2026, a season that will usher in a new technical era for the sport. While no replacement has yet been named, the decision suggests Ferrari are keen to ensure optimal communication and alignment as they attempt to return to championship-winning form.
Adami’s departure from the race engineer role brings an end to a partnership that, while short-lived, carried significant expectations. When Hamilton replaced Carlos Sainz at Ferrari for the 2025 season, Adami was initially viewed as a logical choice to guide the Briton, given his long-standing experience with top-level drivers and his deep familiarity with Ferrari’s internal processes. However, as the season progressed, it became clear that the collaboration faced challenges, particularly in high-pressure race situations.
Despite this, Ferrari have been careful to emphasise that Adami remains a valued member of the organisation. His move to the Driver Academy highlights the team’s desire to utilise his experience in a developmental capacity rather than losing him altogether.
Adami’s Formula 1 career spans more than two decades and includes work with some of the sport’s most recognisable names. He first entered F1 in 2002 with Minardi, a team known for nurturing young talent. As Minardi evolved into Toro Rosso under Red Bull ownership, Adami continued to rise through the ranks, eventually becoming a race engineer. During this period, he worked with drivers such as Daniel Ricciardo, Sébastien Buemi and Sebastian Vettel, the latter going on to become a four-time world champion.
In 2015, Adami followed Vettel to Ferrari, serving as his race engineer throughout the German’s time with the Scuderia. After Vettel’s departure at the end of 2020, Adami was reassigned to work with Carlos Sainz from the 2021 season onwards. That partnership proved productive, with Sainz securing four grand prix victories during his stint at Ferrari, and Adami playing a central role in those successes.
Hamilton’s arrival in 2025 marked another significant chapter in Adami’s career, but the collaboration ultimately lasted just one season. Ferrari’s decision to reshuffle ahead of 2026 underlines the importance the team places on cohesion between driver and engineer, particularly as they prepare for sweeping regulation changes that could reshape the competitive order.
For Hamilton, the focus now turns to who will take on the critical role of race engineer as he enters his second season with Ferrari. The team has confirmed that an announcement will be made at a later date, leaving room for speculation over whether an internal promotion or a more experienced hand will be chosen.
As Ferrari continue to fine-tune their structure for the future, the reshuffle signals a clear intent: to give Hamilton the best possible support as the Scuderia targets a return to the very top of Formula 1 in the new era beginning in 2026.
