Ferrari’s first major shake-up under Lewis Hamilton: the reasons behind the Riccardo Adami decision. F1 | Inside Ferrari’s first true upheaval of the Hamilton era.

The sudden reassignment of Riccardo Adami, just a few weeks before pre-season testing, has reignited debate about how ready Ferrari truly is to embrace change. The decision to move Adami away from his role as Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer marks a significant moment for Ferrari ahead of the 2026 season. After the British driver’s first year in Maranello, it has become increasingly clear that the working relationship between driver and team needed to find a new balance.

Hamilton, known for his highly structured approach and for having very specific communication requirements, had on several occasions highlighted critical areas related to data management and the way on-track updates were handled. These concerns, raised throughout the 2025 season, appear to have played a role in prompting Ferrari to reconsider how the team operates on the pit wall.

The change on the pit wall is not simply a technical reshuffle, but a clear signal that Hamilton’s requests, gathered over the course of 2025, are now being taken seriously. Ferrari seems increasingly focused on creating better conditions for interaction between the driver, engineers and mechanics, with the aim of promoting a clearer and more harmonious workflow. The objective is not to alter Hamilton’s experience as a seven-time world champion, but rather to provide him with the tools needed to translate his driving and feedback into tangible results on track.

During his first months at Ferrari, Hamilton spent considerable time gathering information, asking questions and proposing improvements designed to optimise the team’s internal organisation. After a full year of adaptation, the Scuderia now appears ready to welcome these inputs as part of a broader effort to modernise the structure in Maranello. The new professional setup is intended to make better use of everyone’s expertise, reduce misunderstandings and improve the clarity and efficiency of communications during race weekends.

A new professional balance

The management of the relationship between driver and engineer, a crucial factor for performance in modern Formula 1, is now set to become more transparent. Adami’s move into roles linked to the Ferrari Driver Academy and the management of test cars allows the team to retain his technical contribution, while easing the pressure on the pit wall. There, the primary focus will now be on maximising the performance potential of both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

In practical terms, Ferrari is attempting to turn a clash of working styles into an opportunity to strengthen internal collaboration. This change represents a first concrete step toward a more modern Ferrari, one that is better prepared to respond to the needs of its drivers and to the demands of the contemporary Formula 1 environment.

After a year marked by adjustments and moments of tension, the Scuderia appears to have opened the door to the changes requested by its British champion. The hope is that this new, more collaborative approach will allow Ferrari to launch the 2026 season on firmer foundations, with improved cohesion and a clearer shared vision inside the team.