Montoya Urges Hamilton to Axe Engineer A…read more
Formula 1 legend Juan Pablo Montoya has stirred the pot by calling for Lewis Hamilton to show more assertiveness at Ferrari and make a bold move—specifically, to axe his race engineer, Riccardo Adami. The seven-time world champion’s highly anticipated debut season with Ferrari in 2025 has so far fallen short of expectations. While Charles Leclerc, his teammate, has already secured three podiums, Hamilton has struggled to extract pace and performance from the SF-25, casting early doubts over the success of his career move.
Tensions have been evident both on and off the track. One of the most notable aspects of Hamilton’s Ferrari tenure has been his increasingly tense team radio exchanges with Adami. Unlike the calm and effective communication he shared with long-time Mercedes engineer Peter Bonnington, Hamilton’s conversations with Adami have often been marked by miscommunication, abruptness, and moments of silence that suggest deeper discord. These moments have not gone unnoticed, especially by seasoned figures like Montoya.
Speaking to AS Colombia, Montoya did not mince his words. He believes Hamilton needs to take control of his situation and demand change within the team, starting with his race engineer. “At some point, Lewis is going to have to get angry and suddenly ask for a change of engineers or something,” said Montoya. “Because if he makes a change of engineers, it would be good for the people around him to say: ‘Do I work with Lewis or will he take me out?’”
Montoya pointed to a lack of professionalism in Adami’s behavior, particularly during radio silence or dismissive tones heard during key race moments. He warned that such conduct is not conducive to a healthy team environment, let alone one that fosters championship success. “The engineer, the attitude of not answering the radio, you have to be more professional than that,” he added. “A person like that isn’t healthy for him, the team—it’s not healthy for anyone personally. If I were with Ferrari, I would have pulled his ears and said: ‘You do that again, and you’ll be working at a desk in the office because we’re not interested in people like you.’”
Examples of the strained communication have mounted over the 2025 season. One standout incident occurred during the Miami Grand Prix, where Hamilton sarcastically told his engineer to “take a tea break” due to Ferrari’s slow handling of team orders involving Leclerc. Another awkward moment took place in Monaco, where Hamilton asked Adami if he was “upset” with him—only to be met with an uncomfortable silence.
Despite the growing list of awkward radio moments, Hamilton has publicly insisted that there is “no issue” between him and Adami. However, the body language, tone, and frequency of their interactions suggest otherwise. While Hamilton is known for his professionalism and ability to maintain composure under pressure, even he may not be immune to the effects of a deteriorating working relationship.
Montoya’s comments come from a place of experience. Known for his fiery temperament and candid views, the Colombian driver understands the importance of harmony between driver and engineer—especially in the cutthroat environment of Formula 1. Without effective communication, even the best drivers struggle to make the most of their machinery. For Hamilton, who is in the twilight years of his career and still chasing that elusive eighth title, every detail matters.
As the season continues, all eyes will be on whether Hamilton heeds Montoya’s advice. Will he make a bold internal change to rejuvenate his campaign? Or will he persist in trying to mend a clearly strained relationship? Regardless of the decision, it is evident that something must change if Ferrari is to unlock the full potential of one of the sport’s greatest drivers.
