Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has consistently denied any tension with Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami, yet it is evident their working relationship has not been entirely smooth from the start. On Hamilton’s debut race in Australia, he expressed clear frustration over the team radio, as Riccardo Adami was still adjusting to how much information the seven-time world champion preferred and when to provide it. A week later in China, after Hamilton secured Sprint pole, the atmosphere between them appeared warmer and more positive. However, during the Miami Grand Prix, the British driver openly criticized his team’s indecisiveness when he requested Charles Leclerc be ordered to move aside so he could chase Kimi Antonelli, who was on faster tyres. While Ferrari deliberated, Hamilton sarcastically told his engineers to ‘take a tea break.’ Although they eventually switched the positions of the two cars, Hamilton failed to overtake Leclerc and had to relinquish the spot.
Ferrari narrowly missed ending their constructors’ championship drought by just 14 points last season. However, the team’s slow start to 2025 has exposed ongoing operational weaknesses that team principal Fred Vasseur must urgently address.
Bernie Collins voices concerns over Ferrari’s hesitant decision-making
During Sky Sports’ coverage at Imola, former Aston Martin strategist Bernie Collins highlighted a worrying trend in Ferrari’s approach to race strategy, particularly during the Briton’s exchanges with Riccardo Adami. For years, Formula 1 fans have mocked Ferrari’s radio communications for their frequent use of phrases like ‘we are checking,’ signaling uncertainty. Collins pointed out that this hesitation might be linked to Ferrari’s management structure, where decisions are not always made autonomously by engineers but must be approved by higher-ups. This cautious approach, born from a fear of errors, appears to slow down crucial in-race calls.
Collins speculated on how much of this hesitation stems from needing approval from the chain of command, questioning whether too many people are involved in the decision-making process. She suggested that instead of allowing quick decisions and addressing mistakes afterwards, Ferrari’s management might be creating unnecessary delays. According to her, this leads to a lack of decisiveness that can cost the team valuable moments during a race.
Guenther Steiner comments on Hamilton’s tone with Ferrari engineers
Prior to joining Ferrari, Hamilton was reportedly warned about the team’s unique and traditional operating methods. Despite being the most successful team on the grid, Ferrari is also the oldest, with entrenched processes and a distinctive culture. Italian racer Davide Valsecchi has observed that Ferrari fans remain divided over Lewis Hamilton’s performance and attitude—some believe he is not receiving the respect he deserves, while others argue that he has not yet delivered the expected results. His sarcastic comments on the Miami team radio may have further damaged his standing among the Tifosi.
Guenther Steiner, team principal at Haas, suggested that Hamilton needs to be more adaptable when integrating into a new team environment. Steiner hinted that Hamilton might be expecting too much from his new surroundings too quickly. This contrasts with the long-standing relationship between Max Verstappen and his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase at Red Bull, who have had occasional clashes but share years of experience working closely together. The Hamilton-Adami pairing, by comparison, is still in its infancy and undergoing a period of adjustment.
