Hamilton getting new Ferrari engineer for 2026

Ferrari has announced Lewis Hamilton will have a new race engineer in 2026, following his first season with the team in partnership with Riccardo Adami.

Hamilton had formed a close relationship with former race engineer Peter Bonnington at Mercedes, but began working with a new engineer in the form of Adami when he joined Ferrari last year. The seven-time world champion openly stated it would take time for the pairing to click in a new environment, as he and the Italian learned how to work best with each other, but after encouraging early signs – including a Sprint pole and Sprint victory in just their second race weekend – there were multiple instances of communication issues throughout the season.

Ferrari has now confirmed that Adami will no longer be working with Hamilton as he leaves the race team, taking on “a new role within the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy as Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy and Test Previous Cars manager.” It says the move puts Adami in a position “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 No. 44 will be announced in due course.”

Hamilton endured a challenging first year at Ferrari, with 2025 marking the first time in his Formula 1 career that he has failed to score a grand prix podium in an entire season.