The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix spotlighted the evolving dynamics between Lewis Hamilton and his Ferrari race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Since Hamilton’s transition from Mercedes to Ferrari, observers have noted a shift in the rapport he shares with his engineering team, contrasting with the long-standing synergy he enjoyed with Peter Bonnington.
Communication Breakdown on the Streets of Monte Carlo
During the Monaco race, Hamilton’s radio exchanges with Adami revealed moments of confusion and frustration. At one point, Adami instructed, “Push now. This is our race,” which Hamilton interpreted as a directive to challenge for the lead. However, the message was intended to convey that he was free to race independently, not to support teammate Charles Leclerc’s strategy. This miscommunication led to Hamilton questioning, “Are you upset with me or something?” after receiving limited responses from Adami.
Further into the race, Hamilton sought clarity on his performance, asking, “Have I been dead slow this whole race?” and expressing dissatisfaction with the feedback provided.
Team Principal Vasseur Addresses the Situation
Ferrari’s Team Principal, Fred Vasseur, downplayed any notion of tension between Hamilton and Adami. He explained that internal protocols restrict race engineers from communicating with drivers during certain track sections, which might have contributed to the perceived silence. Vasseur emphasized that Hamilton was not upset post-race and that the team is working to enhance communication clarity.
Recurring Tensions Throughout the Season
The Monaco incident wasn’t the first time Hamilton and Adami’s communication has come under scrutiny. Earlier in the season, tensions flared during the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race when Hamilton was heard over the radio questioning Ferrari’s tyre strategy after an early stop left him vulnerable to faster cars on fresher tyres. Similarly, in Bahrain, Hamilton expressed frustration at the lack of timely information about race pace and gaps to rivals, pointing out that he “felt blind” during key stages of the race. These moments highlight the growing pains of a new partnership still finding its rhythm, especially in contrast to Hamilton’s seamless understanding with his longtime Mercedes engineer, Peter Bonnington.
Looking Ahead
As Hamilton continues to adapt to Ferrari’s environment, refining the communication channel with Adami will be crucial. Effective dialogue between driver and engineer is vital for optimal performance, especially in high-pressure scenarios like Monaco. Both Hamilton and Ferrari are committed to fostering a collaborative relationship to achieve success in the remaining races of the season.
