Who Will be Hamilton's New Engineer? Ralf Predicts Ferrari 'Disaster'
Ferrari has ended the strained relationship between Lewis Hamilton and his race engineer Riccardo Adami, confirming the Italian has been moved out of a trackside role ahead of the crucial 2026 reset.
In a statement, Scuderia Ferrari announced that Adami will take up a "new role" within the Ferrari Driver Academy.
"His extensive trackside experience and Formula 1 expertise will contribute to the development of future talent and to strengthening performance culture across the program," the Maranello-based marque declared.
Ferrari added that the seven time world champion's new race engineer will be announced "in due course".
Adami joined Ferrari in 2015, initially reuniting with Sebastian Vettel before working with Carlos Sainz and then Hamilton, whose difficult first season after leaving Mercedes in 2025 was marked by visible tension over the radio and inconsistent performance.
Speculation over his replacement has centred on Luca Diella, who joined Ferrari from Mercedes in 2025 and worked closely with Hamilton during the second half of last season.
"There was a good dynamic right from the start," the 41-year-old said last year, "and that was reflected in the progress we've made since Spa."
The change comes amid growing unease around Ferrari's wider 2026 project. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher claimed on Sky Deutschland that early indicators point to deeper problems.
"The disaster, as we're already seeing from the numbers, seems to be Ferrari again," Schumacher said. "They're developing two cars, and I can almost imagine why, because Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have completely different opinions.
"You can't develop two cars," he insisted. "If that's the case, then it's a disaster from the start."
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has tried to dampen expectations ahead of the opening closed-door group test in Barcelona, insisting early running will be misleading.
"We'll see a lot of A-spec cars in Barcelona before the cards are laid on the table in Bahrain," Vasseur said, playing down the significance of initial laptimes.
Even Ferrari's image has come under fire. Antoine Le Nel, marketing director of Revolut and title sponsor of Audi, openly criticised Ferrari's HP-branded livery.
"No offense intended, but I think what HP and Ferrari did with their cars isn't good from a design perspective," he said. "How can you put blue on a red car? That's not good."
11 F1 Fan comments on “Who Will be Hamilton's New Engineer? Ralf Predicts Ferrari 'Disaster'”
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Well that’s it then, with Ralf (is he German) and LeNelly pointing out that blue paint is a no no, is it even worth Ferrari going ahead with testing.
Ralfy can almost imagine why ( Ferrari may be developing two cars). I could almost imagine why Ralfi may be developing into by far the biggest arsehole in motorsport , now ably assisted by his new special friend LeNelly. No offence of course.
The crayons, foot stamping hissy fits have paid off, actually word is Ferrai are making a 3rd car and shes quicker than the Dame of Stevenage already..!
My apologies i omitted the Drivers name , its Blondie obviously, ironically the new guy was Hamiltons performance engineer , Performance.... thats a laugh , should work well with Cheryl then
Foot stamping, rich coming from a sad bigot such as yourself who only comes alive to post anti LH drivel, ever shown your drivel to a family member yet?
Pace yourself f1backward , its going to be a long season....!
A long season for LH to live rent free in your head!
Reading your complimentary comments about Sir Lewis’s successful campaign for improving the Ferrari team, your use of terminology suggests you may be of a similar persuasion and standing to Ralfy and his mate Le Nelly. Are you painting your old barge Pink this year? Or do I detect a note of jealousy over Sir Lewis having the delectable Blondie back in his camp?
Anyway nice to see you’ve come out as a Lewis supporter at last.
Ralfy is ok , at least he had the courage, late admittedly as for Geraldine, youll never see her in pink, more likely brown and tell us how great it is, well see how successful she is this year wont we , but if she carries on much longer she wont be a Dame , more like an old queen
Geraldine, that’s a pretty name for an old barge. Don’t forget ALL the drivers are only there for their own benefit.If Sir Lewis is going to be an old queen what will that make Alonso?
we should have something like F1 Europe vs F1 Asia.
Ralfy not a pimple on his brother's arse and always lived in Michael's shadow never really accomplishing anything bar winning a race or two and now knows everything or he wishes he did. Where Ferarri and Lewis is concerned what will be will be though i do hope he comes good this season and takes the fight to Charles.