Lewis Hamilton’s inaugural race of the F1 2025 season, as part of the Ferrari team, was notably marked by a series of tense, terse exchanges with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Yet, despite the apparent friction, Hamilton asserted that Adami executed his duties commendably, underlining the need for the duo to spend more time together to fine-tune their communication.
Hamilton, who recently bid adieu to Mercedes after an impressive 12-year tenure to join Ferrari, found himself amidst a host of changes, ranging from a new team, car, and engine, to a new voice guiding him on the track. Riccardo Adami stepped into the shoes of Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, who had been Hamilton’s engineer since 2013. This transition brought its share of challenges, with the Briton’s responses to Adami’s instructions during their first race together at the Australian Grand Prix hinting at some tension.
Adami’s weather update was met with a terse “Just don’t repeat everything, please” from Hamilton. Advice regarding car settings was met with a similar reply: “Yes, I know. Leave me to it, please.” Further instructions on the Drag Reduction System (DRS) and passing strategies were brushed off with “Leave it, please leave it. I’m learning the car as I go, mate. Just leave me to it with the DRS. It’s not an issue” and “I’m not close enough! I’m not close enough! When I’m close I’ll do it.”
The damp weather during their first outing added another layer of complexity. Hamilton and his teammate, Charles Leclerc, found themselves slipping from podium positions to barely securing points. Navigating the slippery circuit, Hamilton expressed concerns about the safety of their tyres, leading to a pit stop that he later lamented as a missed opportunity. The race concluded with Hamilton finishing tenth, a position that earned him a point on his Ferrari debut.
Despite the challenging debut, Hamilton expressed his faith in Adami’s competence. The seven-time World Champion acknowledged the need for both of them to acclimatize to their new roles, stating, “I think Riccardo did a really good job. We’re learning about each other bit by bit. We just need to after this, we’ll download, we’ll go through all the comments, things I said, and vice versa.”
The race was indeed a learning curve for both Hamilton and Adami, with the former admitting, “I’ve learned a huge amount this weekend. There’s lots to take away from it.” When asked about his future plans, Hamilton revealed his intention to make several changes in the setup for the upcoming races.
As they gear up for the next race in Shanghai, which is predicted to be held under warm and dry conditions, Hamilton and Adami will be looking forward to a smoother collaboration and better on-track performance.
