Ferrari confirms Riccardo Adami as Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer
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Ferrari confirms Riccardo Adami as Lewis Hamilton's race engineer for his debut Formula 1 season with the Scuderia.
Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated debut season with Ferrari comes with a new voice in his ear during race weekends. Ferrari has officially confirmed that Riccardo Adami will serve as the seven-time World Champion’s race engineer for the 2025 Formula 1 campaign.
Adami replaces Pete Bonnington as Hamilton’s race engineer
After spending over a decade guided by Pete ‘Bono’ Bonnington at Mercedes, Hamilton begins this new chapter with Adami by his side. While speculation about Adami’s appointment arose earlier this year, Ferrari made the announcement official following Hamilton’s first on-track session in an SF-23 at Fiorano.
On a misty morning at Ferrari’s private test circuit, Hamilton completed 30 laps under the supervision of his new race engineer. Ferrari confirmed Adami’s role in a post-session press release, noting that Hamilton was ‘speaking to his race engineer Riccardo Adami over the radio’ throughout the session.
Adami’s extensive experience in Formula 1
Riccardo Adami brings over 20 years of Formula 1 experience to his partnership with Hamilton. The Italian began his career with Minardi in 2002 as a data analysis engineer before becoming a race engineer in 2005. He continued in this role with Toro Rosso after Red Bull acquired the team, working with drivers such as Sebastian Vettel.
When Vettel moved to Ferrari in 2015, Adami followed, serving as his race engineer for six seasons. Most recently, Adami worked with Carlos Sainz, who Hamilton has now replaced for the 2025 season. According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, Hamilton consulted Vettel ahead of his first Ferrari test to discuss working with Adami and other aspects of the team.
Vettel has praised Adami in the past, stating, “He’s one of those who represents the values of Ferrari. If the brand is unique, it’s because there are people like that in Maranello.”
Hamilton reflects on his first Ferrari experience
Hamilton’s first test with Ferrari was more than just a milestone; it was an emotional moment for the 38-year-old. Reflecting on his first laps in a Ferrari Formula 1 car, Hamilton described it as “one of the best feelings of my life.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to have many firsts in my career,” he said. “From the first test to the first race, podium, win, and championship, so I wasn’t sure how many more firsts I had. But driving a Scuderia Ferrari F1 car for the first time this morning was one of the best feelings of my life.”
Hamilton added, “When I started the car up and drove through that garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face. It reminded me of the very first time I tested a Formula 1 car—it was such an exciting and special moment. And here I am, almost twenty years later, feeling those emotions all over again.”
The Briton also spoke about the passion he has already witnessed at Ferrari, saying, “I already knew from the outside how passionate the Ferrari family is, from everyone in the team to the Tifosi! But to now witness it firsthand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring. That passion runs through their veins, and you can’t help but be energized by it.”
What’s next for Hamilton and Ferrari?
Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari has only just begun, and expectations are high for the 2025 Formula 1 season. With Adami’s extensive experience and Ferrari’s rich legacy, the new partnership aims to bring success to both the driver and the team. Hamilton will continue his preparations with pre-season testing in Bahrain before making his official Ferrari race debut at the Australian Grand Prix in March.
The stage is set for one of the most intriguing storylines in recent Formula 1 history, as Hamilton looks to add another chapter to his illustrious career, this time in the iconic red of Ferrari.
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