Lewis Hamilton takes final decision about 2026 partnership with race engineer Riccardo Adami: Report

Lewis Hamilton has reportedly taken a final decision on his partnership with race engineer Riccardo Adami following the conclusion of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The pair are set to continue working together in 2026 after holding private discussions away from the paddock over a "very positive dinner."

One of the biggest challenges Lewis Hamilton faced during his debut season with Ferrari was the apparent communication gap between himself and the team. After spending more than a decade at Mercedes, the Briton had grown accustomed to a well established working environment. He also shared a close bond with long-time race engineer Peter Bonnington, who is now working with rookie Kimi Antonelli.

As a result, questions were raised throughout 2025 regarding Hamilton’s connection with Adami. There were also reports that emerged suggesting that Ferrari could consider changes within Hamilton’s personal engineering group ahead of the new season. Hamilton himself admitted that aspects of his setup within the team would need to be reviewed post-2025.

However, according to AutoRacer IT, Adami is now expected to remain in his role as Hamilton’s race engineer in 2026. The report states that the 7x world champion made the decision after the pair shared a dinner following the end of the season, where they discussed their working relationship and future plans.

Lewis Hamilton finished the 2025 campaign sixth in the drivers’ standings, with his standout moment coming in China, where he won the sprint. Aside from that, the veteran endured a difficult year, failing to score a podium finish in a full length race for the first time in his 19 season F1 career.

Heading into 2026, Hamilton will be hoping that he and Ferrari turn things around under the new regulations. He will also welcome the end of the ground effect era, a period that has consistently proven challenging for him.

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Rival Max Verstappen pinpoints reason behind Lewis Hamilton's struggles at Ferrari

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton at the Monaco Grand Prix - Source: Getty

Max Verstappen has highlighted what he believes is the main reason behind Lewis Hamilton’s struggles at Ferrari in recent times. The Dutchman pointed to the difficulties of leaving a well established environment at Mercedes and adapting to life at a new team.

Speaking recently, Verstappen explained that a driver cannot be themselves if they don't feel "secure or comfortable" within a team.

"If you don’t feel secure or comfortable within the team dynamic you cannot be yourself and that has an impact. You leave a team that has been your second family in Mercedes and you have built up such a career with them." said Verstappen. [via Press Association] "Everyone benefitted off that, Mercedes and Lewis, and then going in a completely different route is not easy, plus you are going up against a guy that has been there for a while. It is very tough," he added.

Verstappen also suggested that age could be a factor in Lewis Hamilton’s struggles at Ferrari, noting that while the 40-year-old isn't necessarily getting slower, it is unrealistic to expect him to get quicker at this age. He added that, in contrast, Charles Leclerc is still improving each season, which further complicates Hamilton’s adaptation within the team.

Edited by Mitali