Lewis Hamilton Set for New Ferrari Race Engineer in 2026

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Lewis Hamilton is set to enter the 2026 Formula 1 season with a significant change on his side of the garage after Scuderia Ferrari officially confirmed a race engineer reshuffle involving car #44.

Ferrari announced on Friday evening that Riccardo Adami will no longer serve as Hamilton’s race engineer. The Italian engineer has been reassigned to a new position within the organisation as Manager of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy and the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme, effective ahead of the 2026 campaign.

The Maranello-based team confirmed that Adami’s replacement will be announced in due course, underlining the importance of the decision as Ferrari prepares for a pivotal season. For both Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari, 2026 represents a critical convergence of competitive ambition and long-term strategic direction.

Communication issues between Hamilton and Adami were a recurring theme throughout the 2025 season, with strategic disagreements frequently audible over team radio. These exchanges often highlighted differences in approach during race execution, particularly in high-pressure scenarios where timing, tyre management, and strategic flexibility were decisive.

For Hamilton, the 2026 season is widely viewed as a defining chapter in his Formula 1 career, with the potential to be his final campaign at the top level. It is also regarded as his strongest opportunity to return to race-winning form and challenge for an unprecedented eighth world championship title, making operational clarity and technical alignment within the garage especially critical.

Ferrari outlined the rationale behind Adami’s reassignment in an official team statement.

“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 programme.”

The team also expressed its appreciation for Adami’s work in his previous role, while confirming that the identity of Hamilton’s new race engineer will be revealed at a later date.

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

This structural adjustment signals Ferrari’s intent to refine its technical and operational framework ahead of the 2026 regulatory era, with improved communication, strategic coherence, and execution consistency seen as essential factors in sustaining championship-level competitiveness.