Lewis Hamilton’s unexpected move to Ferrari in 2025 has sent shockwaves through the world of Formula 1, marking a turning point in the career of one of the sport’s most successful drivers. With seven world championship titles under his belt, Lewis Hamilton’s move to the iconic Scuderia Ferrari is more than just a change of scenery; it’s a complex transition that involves significant technical, emotional and personal adjustments. Most notable of these adjustments is the addition of a new race engineer, a key partnership that played a vital role in Lewis Hamilton’s success at Mercedes, where he worked closely with Peter Bonington, a relationship that spanned many years and led to numerous victories.
For a driver like Hamilton, who has enjoyed a long and fruitful collaboration with Bonington, adapting to a new technical team is no easy feat. However, the British driver has always demonstrated an eye for detail and a deep commitment to his craft. According to reports from Italian newspaper Corriere del Sport , Hamilton has contacted a former rival and colleague, Sebastian Vettel, to obtain information on the race engineer who will guide his communication at Ferrari: Ricardo Adami. Vettel, who worked closely with Adami during his time at Ferrari, provided a glowing recommendation of the experienced engineer. Known for his meticulous technical approach, Adami has built a reputation for being an iron fist in high-pressure situations, an invaluable quality in the fast-paced world of Formula 1.
Adami’s Formula 1 career dates back to 2002, when he started at Minardi, which later became Toro Rosso. Since 2015, he has been an integral part of Ferrari’s engineering team, earning the trust of several top drivers including Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz. For Hamilton, whose former engineer Bonington was instrumental in his championship success, establishing a similar dynamic with Adami is crucial to his continued dominance in the sport. Hamilton’s investigation into Adami’s working style, ability to communicate under pressure and technical prowess reflect a cautious and calculated approach to this new phase of his career. Vettel, known for his analytical and precise nature, praised Adami’s ability to remain calm under pressure and his deep understanding of a driver’s needs – qualities Hamilton will no doubt appreciate as he looks to make an immediate impact at Ferrari.
The move is not just a technical one for Hamilton, it is an emotional one as well. Since his Formula 1 debut with McLaren in 2007, Hamilton has worked with just two race engineers: Phil Prew and Peter Bonington. Their collaboration has been the hallmark of Hamilton’s success, winning six of his seven world titles. Moving to Ferrari, where he will have to forge a new relationship with Adami, presents a unique challenge. However, if Hamilton can establish the same level of synergy with Adami as he did with Bonington, it could lead to a fruitful partnership and bring Hamilton closer to realising his dream of another world title.
The 2025 season promises to be a defining year for Hamilton, not only because of the new technical partnership, but also because of the heightened expectations for Ferrari’s performance. After years of near-misses, Ferrari is eager to get back into championship contention, and Hamilton’s arrival at the team signals a renewed sense of hope. Team principal Fred Vasseur has been clear about Ferrari’s goals for the upcoming season. In a recent test at Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit, Hamilton completed 30 laps in the SF-23, a car Ferrari hopes will be competitive enough to challenge for the title. Despite the difficult weather conditions, Hamilton was greeted with enthusiastic support from Ferrari’s loyal tifosi, an experience that marked a special moment in his transition to the Scuderia.
But Hamilton wasn’t the only one taking to the track that day. Teammate Charles Leclerc also put in a few laps in the SF-23, albeit in less-than-ideal conditions. Vasseur stressed that the main goal of the test was to acclimatize the team and drivers to the track environment, as Hamilton and Leclerc prepare for a more significant test in Bahrain in the coming months. While the test was largely a warm-up for the team and a chance for Hamilton to get acquainted with his new surroundings, it was an important first step in what will undoubtedly be a high-stakes season.
As Hamilton begins this new chapter with Ferrari, many questions remain. Will his partnership with Adami bring him the success that Ferrari so desperately seeks? Can the team finally produce a car capable of competing for the World Championship once again? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has added another layer of intrigue to the 2025 season, and fans around the world will be watching closely as the legendary driver races to another title with the Scuderia.
