Hamilton Confirms Ferrari Race Engineer Update After F…read more
In Formula 1, the bond between a driver and their race engineer can often be the deciding factor in both individual race results and overall season performance. A race engineer is a driver’s closest link to the team, delivering critical strategy updates, weather conditions, and pit stop timing. The most successful drivers in the sport have enjoyed strong, trusting relationships with their engineers. For Lewis Hamilton, this bond was exemplified during his years at Mercedes with Peter Bonnington—affectionately known as “Bono.” Now, with his highly publicized switch to Ferrari for the 2025 season, Hamilton is adjusting to a new dynamic with race engineer Riccardo Adami, a relationship that has been under close scrutiny in recent races.
Hamilton’s early races with Ferrari have seen mixed results—not only in terms of performance, but also in terms of team communication. Tensions came to a head during the Miami Grand Prix, where Ferrari was slow to orchestrate a position swap between Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc. The delay in strategy implementation led to a biting radio message from the seven-time world champion. Frustrated by the team’s indecisiveness, Hamilton sarcastically remarked to Adami over the radio: “Have a tea-break while you’re at it!” The comment, laced with irritation, highlighted the friction and communication issues that had begun to bubble under the surface in the early days of the new partnership.
However, the mood around Hamilton’s Ferrari stint took a noticeable turn at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. Despite a disappointing qualifying session where both Hamilton and Leclerc failed to make it into Q3, the race itself marked a turning point. Hamilton finished fourth, his best result so far this season, and praised the team’s overall performance. More notably, he spoke highly of Adami’s communication throughout the race—a significant shift from the discontent displayed in Miami.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia after the race, Hamilton expressed satisfaction with how the team executed their race strategy. “The team did a fantastic job with the strategy, they were faultless. We’re slowly getting there. Riccardo did a fantastic job with his communication with me,” Hamilton said. “I was calm, so he was calm and the team were calm in executing the strategy and the pit stops were awesome. So overall, mega!”
Hamilton’s comments signal not just a renewed confidence in Ferrari’s strategy, but also a thawing of tensions with Adami. It appears that a clearer understanding and a more harmonious working relationship are developing between the driver and engineer. This change in tone could be crucial as Hamilton continues to settle into the Ferrari environment, especially given the high expectations that accompany his move to the iconic Italian team.
His result in Imola, achieved in front of the passionate Tifosi, has injected fresh optimism into Hamilton’s 2025 campaign. With Ferrari bringing a series of upgrades to the race weekend, the British driver seemed invigorated by the car’s improved performance and the smoother communication from the pit wall. Hamilton even suggested that a podium finish might have been possible with a few more laps, underlining the team’s growing competitiveness.
Looking ahead, Hamilton will be eager to maintain this momentum and build on the positive steps taken in Imola. As Ferrari continues to fine-tune both their car and their internal operations, a strong and united front between Hamilton and Adami could prove essential in pushing for podiums—and possibly victories—as the season unfolds.
