Lewis Hamilton reveals key differences between Ferrari and Mercedes F1 team radio communication

Lewis Hamilton is collaborating with Sebastian Vettel’s former Ferrari engineer this season. Fred Vasseur chose to retain Riccardo Adami in his role following the departure of Carlos Sainz. In response, Hamilton reached out to Vettel to inquire about Riccardo Adami, who began his F1 career with Minardi, the predecessor to Toro Rosso. After the team’s acquisition by Red Bull, Adami worked with rising stars like Daniel Ricciardo before joining Ferrari in 2015, just as Vettel made his move to the Scuderia. Adami supported Vettel for six years, before transitioning to the same role with Sainz.

Over the past decade, the Italian engineer has played a pivotal role in helping his drivers secure 18 race victories—14 for Sebastian Vettel and three for Carlos Sainz. Despite this impressive record, Riccardo Adami has yet to claim a championship title.

At Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton enjoyed an unparalleled driver-engineer partnership with Peter Bonnington, the voice in his ear throughout all six of his World Championships and 84 career wins. When Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari in February, many fans speculated whether Peter Bonnington would join him in Italy. However, Mercedes managed to retain the valuable asset in anticipation of Kimi Antonelli’s arrival.

Now, Lewis Hamilton is working closely with Riccardo Adami during Ferrari’s off-season testing programme. Across four testing sessions in Italy and Spain, Lewis Hamilton has driven Ferrari’s 2023, 2024, and 2025 cars. In an interview with ESPN’s SportsCenter, he shared insights into his adaptation process, emphasizing that Adami’s communication style is significantly different from Bonnington’s. This change is critical, as it directly influences car setup decisions and race strategies. Any miscommunication could derail a race weekend, making the adjustment process even more important.

Additionally, the British driver has mentioned the unfamiliar display on the Ferrari steering wheel, underscoring the challenges that come with transitioning to a new team. Reflecting on the process, he has developed a greater respect for both Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, recognizing the immense effort required to become fully comfortable within Ferrari’s system.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion mentioned feeling very aligned with everyone at Ferrari, but noted that the experience in the car was completely different. He explained that the messages he received were much different from what he had experienced before, and that everything displayed on the dashboard was unfamiliar. The British driver added that the setup of the front and rear was also different, although the goal remained similar. The terminology used, however, was another challenge he highlighted. He expressed that there was much more to discuss, but emphasized that with determination, they were putting in all the necessary work to adapt.

Ferrari fans have humorously poked fun at Lewis Hamilton after a particular moment during the 2025 car test. Former Formula 1 world champion Nigel Mansell expressed that it would be a “dream come true” if Hamilton were to secure his first race victory in Australia. Such a triumph would mirror Fernando Alonso’s 2010 win at the Bahrain Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone in Hamilton’s career.

However, the British driver has been clear in stating that it may take some time for him to fully unlock the potential of his side of the garage. He pointed out that it wasn’t until just before the summer break in 2013 that he managed to claim his first victory with Mercedes, highlighting the importance of patience when adjusting to a new team and car.

It’s also essential to note that Lewis Hamilton has signed a multi-year contract, meaning that 2025 isn’t a make-or-break season for him. Still, Ferrari fans are optimistic about the team’s prospects this year, particularly given their strong recent form. Moreover, the upcoming 2026 regulation changes add an element of uncertainty to the future, making this season crucial for Ferrari as they aim to maximize their performance.

At 40 years old, Lewis Hamilton is expected to have accumulated substantial track time before the season officially begins. He has already driven the SF-25 during pre-season testing in preparation for the three-day Bahrain test. However, Ferrari fans couldn’t resist teasing Hamilton after he appeared to take a “tea break” during his session, adding a lighthearted touch to the proceedings.