Lewis Hamilton defends the communication style of his race engineer, Riccardo Adami. This year, the Italian is the engineer for the seven-time world champion for the first time, meaning the two are still getting used to each other. “I just don’t like getting a lot of information during the race,” explains Hamilton.
It was a notable moment during the Australian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton seemed to cut off his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami. “You can use K1 as you get closer,” the Italian engineer told Hamilton. “Just let me be, please,” was the world champion’s response. To which Adami repeated, “K1 available.” Hamilton then responded somewhat irritably, “Yes, I know, just let me be.”
After the race, however, Hamilton defended his race engineer and the way the Italian communicates. “Riccardo did very well, I think we need to learn more and more about each other,” explains the seven-time world champion. “After this weekend, we’ll review everything, we’ll discuss all the comments. I just don’t like getting a lot of information during the race, unless I ask for it. But he did his best, and we’ll carry on.”
Baptism of Fire
Despite Hamilton not finishing higher than tenth place, two spots lower than teammate Charles Leclerc, the Brit found the weekend in Australia valuable. “I learned a lot this weekend,” says Hamilton. “I need to change some things next week. But today was a baptism of fire. It was my first time in a Ferrari in the rain.”
