Hamilton seeks new Ferrari race engineer as Bonnington stays with Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton faces a significant personnel change at Ferrari just before the season opener. With Riccardo Adami moving to the Ferrari Academy, the seven-time champion must find a new voice on the radio, and it won't be his long-time confidant Peter "Bono" Bonnington.

Why it matters:

The relationship between a driver and race engineer is the backbone of an F1 team's operational success. Hamilton and Bonnington formed one of the most successful partnerships in the sport's history, securing six world championships together. Entering a new environment at Ferrari without that established trust and communication dynamic adds a layer of complexity to Hamilton's highly anticipated switch to the Scuderia.

The details:

• Adami's Departure: Ferrari confirmed that Riccardo Adami, who was initially set to continue as Hamilton's race engineer, will transition to a role within the Ferrari Academy. This move comes despite a turbulent first season together.
• Bonnington Stays Put: Speculation that Hamilton would bring Bonnington to Maranello has been quashed. The veteran engineer will remain at Mercedes, serving as the race engineer for rising star Kimi Antonelli in 2026.
• The Search: Ferrari has stated that a successor for Adami will be announced soon, leaving Hamilton little time to build a new rapport before testing begins.

Looking ahead:

Ferrari is under pressure to appoint a capable replacement quickly to ensure Hamilton's start at the team is as smooth as possible. While the identity of the new engineer remains unknown, the team will be hoping to find a candidate who can gel immediately with their new superstar driver.