Ferrari evaluating all options for Lewis Hamilton's race engineer in 2026

Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has declined to confirm that Riccardo Adami will remain Lewis Hamilton's race engineer for the 2026 season, stating the team is "evaluating all options." This follows a challenging debut year for Hamilton at Ferrari, marked by underwhelming results and several publicized radio exchanges that highlighted communication difficulties with his engineer.

Why it matters:

The driver-engineer relationship is a critical, high-pressure partnership in Formula 1, directly impacting race strategy, car feedback, and in-session performance. For a driver of Hamilton's caliber transitioning to a new team, establishing seamless communication is paramount. Vasseur's non-committal stance signals that Ferrari is not taking this dynamic for granted and is willing to make significant personnel changes to optimize performance for their star signing's second season.

The details:

• Vasseur made the comments during Ferrari's traditional end-of-year media lunch, where Hamilton's difficult 2025 season was a central topic. The seven-time champion finished the year without a single podium for the first time in his career.
• The team principal acknowledged that the transition from Mercedes to Ferrari was more complex than anticipated, extending beyond cultural adjustments. "Every single software is different, every single component is different, and the people around him were different," Vasseur explained, highlighting the depth of the challenge.
• Throughout the season, several tense radio messages between Hamilton and Adami were broadcast, sparking widespread discussion among fans and pundits about their working rapport and whether the partnership was functioning optimally under pressure.

Looking ahead:

Vasseur's "evaluating all options" remark leaves the door open for a change ahead of the 2026 campaign. The decision will be a key part of Ferrari's off-season planning as they aim to provide Hamilton with the strongest possible support structure. A new engineer could offer a fresh start and improved communication, but continuity also has its benefits. The Scuderia's choice will be a clear indicator of how they diagnose the issues of Hamilton's first year and their strategy for a more competitive 2026.