Lewis Hamilton, the six-time Formula One World Champion, has opened up about his difficult split with former race engineer Riccardo Adami after a challenging debut season with Ferrari last year.
In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, Hamilton reflected on his time with Adami and the impact it had on his performance on the track. The British driver joined Ferrari in 2019, after spending six successful years with Mercedes, hoping to bring the Italian team back to their glory days. However, things did not go as planned and Hamilton struggled to adjust to the new car and team dynamics.
One of the main reasons behind Hamilton’s struggles was the split with his long-time race engineer, Adami. The two had formed a strong bond during their time together at Mercedes and had achieved great success on the track. However, when Hamilton made the move to Ferrari, Adami chose to stay with Mercedes, leaving Hamilton to work with a new race engineer.
Reflecting on the split, Hamilton said, “It was definitely a tough pill to swallow. Riccardo and I had developed a great working relationship at Mercedes and he played a crucial role in my success there. So, when he decided to stay with Mercedes, I was disappointed but understood his decision.”
The 36-year-old driver admitted that it took him some time to adjust to the new dynamic with his new race engineer, but eventually, they found their rhythm. “It’s not easy to build a new relationship with your race engineer, especially when you’ve had such a successful one in the past. But we worked hard and found a way to communicate effectively, and that’s crucial in this sport,” Hamilton said.
Despite the challenges, Hamilton managed to finish third in the driver’s championship last year, behind Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas. While it was not the result he had hoped for, Hamilton believes it was a valuable learning experience for him.
“I learned a lot from last season. It was a tough year, but I believe it made me a stronger driver. I had to adapt to a new team, a new car, and a new race engineer. It was a challenge, but I’m proud of how we managed to overcome it,” Hamilton said.
The split with Adami was not the only hurdle Hamilton faced during his debut season with Ferrari. The team also struggled with performance issues, and Hamilton had to deal with the pressure of being the team’s number one driver.
“It was a new experience for me, being the number one driver in a team. There’s a lot of pressure that comes with it, but I was ready for the challenge. I wanted to help the team succeed, and I gave it my all on the track,” Hamilton shared.
Despite the difficulties, Hamilton remains optimistic about his future with Ferrari. He believes that the team has the potential to be a top contender in the upcoming seasons and is determined to help them achieve their goals.
“I have a great team behind me, and we’re all working towards the same goal. We know that we have the potential to be at the top, and we’re determined to get there. It may take some time, but I’m confident that we’ll get there,” Hamilton said.
As for his relationship with Adami, Hamilton says that there are no hard feelings and that they still maintain a good friendship. “Riccardo and I are still in touch, and we have a great friendship. We understand that this is a part of the sport, and we both have to do what’s best for our careers. I wish him all the best,” Hamilton said.
With the 2021 season just around the corner, Hamilton is focused on the task at hand. He is determined to help Ferrari reach new heights and add another world championship to his already impressive resume.
“I’m excited for the new season and the challenges that lie ahead. I believe in this team, and I know that we can achieve great things together. I’m ready to give it my all on the track and make Ferrari proud,” Hamilton concluded.
As Hamilton reflects on his tough split with Adami, he remains positive and motivated for the future. With his determination and talent, there’s no doubt that he will continue to be a force to be reckoned with on the Formula One circuit.