They had some strong exchanges last year

LEWIS HAMILTON’S race engineer at Ferrari has left his role as part of a shake up at the team.

The Italian team announced they are to replace Riccardo Adami as Hamilton’s race engineer for the 2026 F1 season.F1 Grand Prix Of China - Practice & Sprint Qualifying

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari race director has left ahead of the new seasonCredit: Getty

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The pair had a tense relationship in 2025Credit: Getty
The pair’s relationship was tense at times throughout last season during the seven-time world champion’s first campaign at Ferrari.

Ferrari released a statement on Friday stating Adami would be moved to a new role with the team’s driver academy as academy and test previous cars manager.

They also said that his replacement as Hamilton’s race engineer would be announced in due course.

Hamilton and Adami endured several frosty exchanges in 2025, like in Monaco when he asked his engineer at the end of the race: “Are you upset with me or something?” To which he appeared to receive no reply.

Hamilton shut down speculation that the pair did not get on at the time as “BS” and insisted that Adami had “been amazing to work with, he’s a great guy”.

Fuming, Hamilton had swore down his team radio after a Ferrari strategy blunder blew his chances of Australian Grand Prix glory in the season opener.

Speaking on the radio to engineer Adami, Hamilton said: “We just missed a big opportunity there.

“What position am I now in?”

When he was told he was back in P9, Hamilton blasted the word “s***” down the radio, before apologising because he did not realise it was still on.

He also cheekily quipped “have a tea break while you’re at it” to Adami over what he felt was slow decision making in the Miami GP in May

Hamilton suffered the worst season of his career, failing to claim a podium and finishing sixth, behind his teammate Charles Leclerc in fifth, while Ferrari were fourth, 435 points behind the champions, McLaren.

Ferrari confirmed the decision, writing: “Scuderia Ferrari HP announces that Riccardo Adami has moved to a new role within the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy as Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy and Test Previous Cars Manager, where his extensive trackside experience and Formula 1 expertise contributes to the development of future talent and to strengthening performance culture across the program.

“Scuderia Ferrari HP would like to thank Riccardo for his commitment and contribution to his trackside role and wishes him every success in his new position.

“The appointment of the new Race Engineer for car #44 will be announced in due course.”