Lewis Hamilton Assesses New Ferrari Race Engineer After Debut Tensions
The season-opening Australian Grand Prix proved to be a challenging debut for Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari, as the seven-time Formula 1 world champion struggled to find his rhythm. One of the notable aspects of Hamilton’s race was his communication with his Ferrari race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Throughout the grand prix, Hamilton sounded frustrated with the communication from Adami over team radio, with the pair appearing to misunderstand each other at points.
On several occasions, Hamilton asked for less communication or to be left alone, sparking criticism from pundits such as Martin Brundle and Karun Chandhok. Brundle questioned why Hamilton was so “angsty” with Adami, while Chandhok suggested that a conversation was needed to further build understanding between the two. However, when asked about the issue post-race, Hamilton threw his support behind Adami, praising the 51-year-old’s efforts.
“I think Riccardo did a really good job,” Hamilton told media, including RacingNews365. “We’re learning about each other bit by bit. We just need to… after this, we’ll download, we’ll go through all the comments. Things I said, and vice versa. Generally, I’m not one that likes a lot of information in the race, unless I need it – I’ll ask for it. But he did his best today, and we’ll move forwards.”
Despite the communication issues, Hamilton remains optimistic about the potential of the Ferrari SF-25. In the midst of the late-race wet weather chaos, Hamilton briefly led at Albert Park when the leaders pitted for intermediate tires. Although Ferrari’s strategy ultimately cost them dearly, Hamilton believes that there is more performance to be unlocked from the car.
“In that moment, I don’t know,” Hamilton said when asked if he felt a podium could have been on the cards. “I was like: ‘oh my God, I’m third’… I was leading for a second. I don’t know if we had anywhere near the pace of the McLarens today, but I do think in the actual car, there is a lot more performance. We just think we didn’t unlock it this weekend.”
Hamilton’s comments suggest that Ferrari’s struggles in Melbourne were not solely due to the car’s performance, but rather a combination of factors, including strategy and communication. As the team looks to bounce back from a disappointing start to the season, Hamilton’s defense of Adami and his optimism about the car’s potential will be crucial in maintaining a positive team dynamic.
With the next round of the championship just around the corner, Ferrari will be eager to put the lessons learned from Melbourne into practice. Hamilton, in particular, will be looking to build on his experience and find a better rhythm with his new team. As the season unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how Hamilton and Ferrari adapt and improve, and whether they can unlock the full potential of the SF-25.
