Official: Riccardo Adami steps down as Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer to join Ferrari Driver Academy. Ferrari confirms Riccardo Adami will leave his role as Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer .

F1 | Ferrari reshuffles technical team: Riccardo Adami moves from Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer role

Ferrari has announced a significant change within its technical structure, with Riccardo Adami transitioning to a new role in the Ferrari Driver Academy. As of January 16, 2026, Adami will no longer serve as the race engineer for Lewis Hamilton, marking the start of a new chapter in his long-standing Formula 1 career.

Adami takes on a strategic role in the Driver Academy

The Italian engineer leaves his trackside position to become the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy and Test Previous Cars Manager. This new role will allow Adami to share his extensive experience in Formula 1 with the next generation of Ferrari drivers, providing guidance, technical insight, and hands-on mentorship in a structured high-performance environment.

Supporting the growth of future talent

In the official statement, Ferrari emphasized that Riccardo Adami’s broad trackside experience and deep technical knowledge will be invaluable for developing young drivers and strengthening the performance-oriented culture within the Driver Academy. This initiative is increasingly central to Ferrari’s strategy, especially as the team prepares for upcoming regulatory changes and the challenges of nurturing new talent in Formula 1.

The Test Previous Cars program, under Adami’s management, will offer young drivers the chance to accumulate essential mileage, build their experience, and learn structured work methods in a professional, technically advanced environment. This approach ensures that Ferrari’s future drivers are well-prepared for the demands of top-level competition.

Ferrari thanks Adami for his trackside contributions

Ferrari publicly thanked Riccardo Adami for his dedication and invaluable contributions while serving as Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer. The team emphasized that this move is not a demotion but a strategic realignment of skills, demonstrating trust in Riccardo Adami’s expertise and the importance of continuity within the team.

New race engineer for car number 44 to be announced

The announcement also confirmed that a replacement for Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer, for car number 44, will be disclosed at a later date. This keeps attention focused on Ferrari’s technical front, amid a period of significant organizational changes and preparation ahead of the 2026 season.

Strategic reshuffle reflects Ferrari’s long-term vision

This reorganization highlights Ferrari’s commitment to improving on multiple levels, not only in car performance and power unit development but also in its human and technical resources. By strategically placing experienced personnel like Riccardo Adami in key development roles, Ferrari is aiming to reinforce its competitive foundations while nurturing the next generation of F1 talent.