F1 2026: Lewis Hamilton SPLITS with Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami

Hamilton with race engineer Adami — Photo: © IMAGO

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F1 2026: Lewis Hamilton SPLITS with Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami

Ferrari have officially announced the news

Matthew Hobkinson Lead Editor

F1 Editor & Journalist

Friday 16 January 2026 18:30 Updated: 21:23

Ferrari F1 team have officially announced that Riccardo Adami will not be Lewis Hamilton's race engineer for the 2026 season.

Hamilton and Adami worked together during the Brit's first year in Ferrari, as their relationship came under scrutiny following a series of tense radio exchanges in 2025.

Questions have been asked as to how well the pair worked together, with the team now taking matters into their own hands ahead of the new season.

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"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," an official statement said.

"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."

Who is Riccardo Adami?

Adami began his F1 career in 2002 with Minardi, where he eventually became race engineer and remained with the team when they re-branded as Toro Rosso following Red Bull's takeover.

During his stint at the Italian outfit, he worked with multiple drivers, including Daniel Ricciardo, Sebastien Buemi and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.

However, Adami left Toro Rosso in 2015 and joined Vettel at Ferrari as his race engineer, until the legend's departure to Aston Martin.

Since 2021, the Italian served as Carlos Sainz's race engineer, overseeing his four race wins at Ferrari.

Hamilton, who replaced Sainz for the 2025 season and beyond, had Adami confirmed as the seven-time world champion's new race engineer during his appearance in Maranello.

The change in Hamilton's race engineer came after it was revealed Hamilton's long-term ally at Mercedes, Peter Bonnington, would not be joining him at Ferrari in 2025.

Hamilton's new race engineer at Ferrari will be announced in due course.

F1 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari