Riccardo Adami steps into the spotlight as Lewis Hamilton’s new race engineer at Ferrari. Their partnership, though promising, has encountered a few bumps on the track.
- Adami, a seasoned engineer from Brescia, Italy, brings his Ferrari expertise to Hamilton after a decade with the team.
- Communication hiccups marked their early races, notably at the Monaco Grand Prix, stirring public curiosity.
- Adami’s history includes mentoring future champions like Sebastian Vettel and working with stars like Daniel Ricciardo.
- As Hamilton adapts to Ferrari, language and cultural differences pose challenges, but there’s hope for smoother synergy.
Riccardo Adami is no stranger to the high-speed world of Formula 1. With a career that began at Minardi, he swiftly moved up the ranks, eventually finding his place in the Ferrari team back in 2015. Known for his work with top talents, Adami is now engineering for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, following Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes in 2025.
The transition wasn’t seamless. Early races in 2025, especially the Monaco Grand Prix, highlighted communication gaps between Adami and Hamilton. Hamilton admitted confusion over Adami’s race messages, leading to some tense exchanges. The issue, it seems, might be rooted in the language barrier, despite Adami’s proficiency in English, which might not match the fluency Hamilton enjoyed with his previous engineer, Peter Bonnington.
Moreover, the cultural shift has not gone unnoticed. Hamilton, used to the Mercedes culture, finds Ferrari’s atmosphere quite different. As he works to fit in, these differences occasionally lead to publicized miscommunications. In contrast, Adami has smoothly transitioned from masterminding the careers of Vettel and Sainz at Ferrari to now guiding Hamilton.
Yet, this isn’t just a Hamilton and Adami issue. Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, also faces similar challenges with his engineer. Miscommunications during races have been a recurring theme for Ferrari this season, with both drivers experiencing strategic blunders that spark viral moments, such as Leclerc’s humorous exchange about his water-logged seat.
With only a third of the season completed, there’s optimism that Hamilton and Adami will find their rhythm. As they spend more time collaborating under pressure, they are expected to develop a stronger understanding, potentially overcoming the initial hurdles they face.
While their journey is off to a rocky start, the potential for a successful partnership between Hamilton and Adami remains, as they navigate challenges to create a winning formula.
