Former Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle has expressed support for Ferrari’s decision to change Lewis Hamilton‘s race engineer, stating that “something needed to change.” Following a challenging 2025 season marked by multiple disagreements between Hamilton and his engineer, Riccardo Adami, Ferrari has decided to reassign Adami to a different role within the organization. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, a replacement engineer has not yet been confirmed.
Brundle’s Insights on Engineer Dynamics
Brundle, who now serves as a pundit for Sky Sports F1, shared his thoughts on the change during a recent interview. “I’m surprised it probably didn’t happen a bit earlier, really, judging by all the things that were going on last year,” he remarked. He emphasized the importance of having a team that understands Hamilton’s specific communication style, or “Lewis speak,” to improve performance on the track.
“Just listening to the radio and watching the performance, although they obviously put a varnish on it through last season, something needed to change,” Brundle added. His comments reflect a broader sentiment that Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari, which concluded without a single podium finish, was not meeting expectations.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Ferrari will unveil its new 2026 car on Friday, ahead of a private preseason test scheduled for next week in Barcelona. Following this initial test, the team will participate in two three-day testing sessions in Bahrain before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 8, 2026.
As Hamilton prepares for the challenges ahead, he aims to improve upon his sixth-place finish in the previous season’s championship. The upcoming changes within the Ferrari team could play a crucial role in shaping his performance in what is a pivotal year for both the driver and the organization.
