Hamilton-Adami: according to Patrese a new race engineer can make the difference in 2026

Lewis Hamilton’s many changes in 2026 Lewis Hamilton was at the center of the pre-season “market” movements, with a substantial clean-up of his entire entourage: first the separation from the track engineer Riccardo Adami, promoted to the role of head of the Ferrari Driver Academy and of the team dedicated to the TPC tests, then the exit of the manager Marc Hynes and also that of the press officer Gabriela ‘Ella’ Kwaku Yeboah. A new start from scratch for the seven-time world champion from Ferrari which, according to some observers, could also be useful to allow him to focus more on driving, performance and the development of the SF-26 which promises to be extremely delicate, as well as crucial for the future of the entire Maranello team. The opinion of Riccardo Patrese This is the thought of the former Italian driver Riccardo Patrese who, interviewed by the BetVictor website, hailed as an opportunity Ferrari’s choice to entrust a new race engineer – a Mister friction between the two. The track engineer is a very important role because it helps the driver find some confidence behind the wheel of the car. So, if Lewis wasn’t happy with his track engineer, having a new one will probably improve his mood and can make a big difference.” “When I was at Williams – adds Patrese – even if the cars were the same, the team was the same, the opportunities were the same, the track engineer could really make the difference for the driver and also to improve the performance of that specific single-seater”. A difference that could, who knows, even reopen hopes for an eighth world title? “I think he can do it. He needs to start thinking he can be competitive to win races. And then, if he can do that, then he could start thinking about the World Championship. Lewis Hamilton has always shown himself to be a very fast driver, and so if he returns to performing as before with the opportunity to win races, then his confidence will grow. And if he stimulates his confidence, which he lost a little bit last year, then anything can happen.”