### Ferrari's Strategic Shift: Lewis Hamilton's Race Engineer Reassigned Ahead of 2026 Season Ferrari has officially announced a significant change in their team dynamics as they prepare for the 2026 Formula One season. The team confirmed that Riccardo Adami, who served as Lewis Hamilton's race engineer during the 2025 season, has been reassigned to a new role within the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy. This decision follows a challenging year for Hamilton, who failed to secure a podium finish throughout the entire season, marking a notable downturn in his performance as a seven-time world champion [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/ferrari-2026-lewis-hamilton-statement-36567398]. ### Breakdown of the Announcement and Its Implications 1. **Role Change for Riccardo Adami**: - Adami will now manage the Driver Academy and oversee testing programs for previous Ferrari models, stepping away from direct race engineering duties with Hamilton [https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/lewis-hamilton-to-have-new-race-engineer-after-ferrari-move-adami-1930894]. 2. **Impact on Hamilton's Performance**: - The decision to change race engineers comes after a season characterized by miscommunication and tension between Hamilton and Adami, which was highlighted by several contentious radio exchanges during races [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/motor-sport/formula-1-lewis-hamilton-ferrari-driver-different-race-engineer-10479424]. 3. **Future Prospects**: - Ferrari has yet to announce Hamilton's new race engineer, but this change is seen as a strategic move to improve team communication and performance as they aim to regain competitiveness in the upcoming season [https://www.grandprix247.com/formula-1-news/lewis-hamilton-will-get-a-new-ferrari-race-engineer-for-2026-formula-1-season]. ### Supporting Evidence of the Shift - **Performance Metrics**: - Hamilton's 2025 season was notably poor, as he did not finish on the podium in any race, a first in his illustrious career [https://skysports.com/f1/news/12040/13495109/lewis-hamilton-ferrari-drivers-race-engineer-riccardo-adami-moved-to-different-position-at-team-ahead-of-2026-f1-season]. - **Team Dynamics**: - The reassignment of Adami is part of a broader restructuring within Ferrari, aimed at enhancing their competitive edge in Formula One [https://economy24.co.za/2026/01/lewis-hamiltons-staff-departure-signifies-major-shake-up-at-ferrari-f1-team]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for Hamilton and Ferrari In summary, **Ferrari's decision to reassign Riccardo Adami marks a pivotal moment for both Lewis Hamilton and the team as they look to improve their performance in the 2026 season**. The change is expected to foster better communication and strategy execution, which are crucial for Hamilton's success moving forward. 1. **Adami's New Role**: Transition to managing the Driver Academy and testing programs. 2. **Hamilton's Challenges**: A season without podium finishes prompts the need for change. 3. **Future Developments**: Awaiting the announcement of Hamilton's new race engineer to support his campaign. This strategic shift reflects Ferrari's commitment to enhancing their performance and adapting to the challenges of Formula One [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3772852-hamiltons-new-race-engineer-a-shift-in-ferraris-formula-1-strategy].