London , 17 January (H.S.): Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will pair with a new race engineer at Ferrari for the 2026 season, the team announced on Friday, reassigning his current collaborator Riccardo Adami to oversee the driver academy and past car testing program.
Ferrari's statement clarified that Adami's transition to these expanded responsibilities leaves Hamilton's replacement to be named in due course. Reports from the prior season highlighted tense radio exchanges between Hamilton and Adami during his debut year at Ferrari, though the Briton dismissed speculation in May 2025 as mere noise, affirming, Do we have differences? Yes, like in every relationship. But we resolve them. We're aligned on the same goal.
Such uncomfortable communications persisted through season's end, marking Hamilton's most disappointing campaign at age 41, with zero podiums while teammate Charles Leclerc secured multiple.
Adami, a Maranello veteran of 11 years, previously guided four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and Spaniard Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.
The Scuderia unveils its new car livery next week, preceding closed-door pre-season testing in Barcelona from January 26-30 for all 11 teams.
Formula 1's 24-race 2026 calendar launches March 8 at the Australian Grand Prix, coinciding with a transformative engine era under overhauled technical regulations.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
