According to reports in the Italian media, the Ferrari team has made a decision about race engineer Lewis Hamilton for the 2026 season.

Riccardo Adami has been working with the seven-time world champion since the Briton moved to the Scuderia in January 2025. But there were a few strange and resonant radio conversations between them throughout the season.

During the Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton appeared confused by the lack of information from his engineer, and at the Miami round he reacted strongly to the situation, issuing team orders and advising the team to “drink some tea” after Charles Leclerc refused to let him pass.

At the Monaco Grand Prix, Riccardo Adami asked Hamilton: “Are you mad at me?” There was another incident where he ignored her request. Ferrari later announced that the engineer had left the pit wall at that time.

A similar situation was repeated after the last race of the season. During the radio exchange, Hamilton thanked the team and the race engineer for their cooperation, but received no response. The Briton then asked if they had heard him and received an explanation that the team were talking to each other at the time.

At the end of the season, team principal Fred Vasser said the Scuderia would review Hamilton’s inner circle to improve their results. And it looks like the decision has already been made.

According to Italian publication Auto Racer, Ferrari has decided to retain Riccardo Adami as Hamilton’s race engineer for 2026. The most important reason for this was a “very positive” private dinner between the pilot and the engineer.

The team expects to take a serious step forward in 2026 in light of new technical regulations. Next season could be decisive for Hamilton because 2026 is considered the last year of his current contract with Ferrari.

His first season in the Scuderia was a difficult one for the Briton. Hamilton finished the championship in sixth place using the problematic SF-25 car, but lost 86 points to his teammate.

Hamilton went a season without a podium for the first time in his career, while Leclerc scored seven goals. Of particular concern was the seven-time champion’s deteriorating qualifying form later in the year.

Max Verstappen admitted he has been pleasantly surprised by how fans have supported him throughout the 2025 season as he chases an improbable fifth Formula 1 title.

For most of the year, the Dutch driver was not seen as a real challenger for the championship as McLaren dominated the top of the peloton. After the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August, Verstappen was 104 points behind the leader in the standings, having led nine stages.

But in the following races, the Red Bull driver gradually closed the gap and unexpectedly received significant support from the fans – unlike previous seasons, he confidently rushed to the championships without any serious intrigue.

Commenting on the change in the fans’ attitude, Verstappen admitted that it surprised him:

“It’s weird. Of course, when you find yourself being the underdog, people start to support you more.

But maybe they’re finally starting to understand who I really am.”

As a result, Verstappen was only two points behind the championship title; McLaren driver Lando Norris won the crown.

The Dutch actor also denied that his character had changed in any way over the past year. According to him, he has always remained true to himself and his principles:

“I’m not trying to be fake in the paddock or anywhere else. It’s not about me.”

It’s easy to forget when you have so much success in Formula 1. That’s why it’s important to have people around you who can tell you the truth if you start acting weird.

“I’m lucky to have a wonderful family and true friends.”

Mercedes Formula 1 team president Toto Wolff believes that driver George Russell is ready to become a champion, but young Andrea Kimi Antonelli still needs time.

“Nobody knows how much power the Mercedes engine will have in 2026. We don’t know what the other teams’ engines will be like either. Is Russell ready to take the championship if given the right car? 100%, absolutely ready. There is nothing to add here. He is ready to be champion.”

“Antonelli is only 19 years old. What kind of peak are we talking about? He can be at the peak after 3-5 seasons. I believe we should give him this time to gain experience.”

“It’s moving in the right direction,” Wolff said.

F1 will have new technical regulations on engines and aerodynamics from the 2026 season.