A delicate first between Lewis Hamilton and his new engineer: "We can do a better job"

All drivers will say it, the relationship with the race engineer is essential. This is undoubtedly what has made one of the great strengths of Lewis Hamilton during his 12 years at Mercedes where he always collaborated with the same person at the other end of the “line”, Peter Bonnington.

Together, they built a very solid foundation, the two men knowing each other inside out to the point of almost knowing how to manage each other's emotions. Unfortunately for the seven-time world champion, who won 6 titles with him, “Bonno” did not follow him home Ferrari after being offered a bigger role at Mercedes as Head of Race Engineering, while working with Andrea Kimi Antonelli, his loyal friend's replacement in the garage.

Inevitably, when he arrived in Maranello, Lewis Hamilton started from scratch, forced to adapt to a completely new environment, which was moreover particular, even unique in its kind, and therefore to begin a new relationship with Riccardo Adami who would be his “right-hand man” throughout the adventure in red, or at least at the beginning.

Riccardo Adami, the man who whispers in Lewis Hamilton's ear. © Antonin Vincent / DPPI

"Let me do it please."

The Australian Grand Prix was their first real-world test after getting their bearings during pre-season testing in Bahrain at the end of February. The least we can say is that it highlighted a lack of familiarity, which is almost logical given that the two men haven't really had time to build their foundations at the start of the year and are each accustomed to different ways of working.

Lewis Hamilton appeared a bit annoyed when Riccardo Adami repeatedly repeated instructions to him over the radio. Starting on lap 4, when the Italian twice asked him to stay in recharge mode behind the safety car. Yes, no problem. Just don't need to repeat everything to me, please., " the Englishman then retorted, who was entitled to a " Including " at the other end.

A situation that recurred on lap 13 when the Stevenage native tried to overtake Alex AlbonThe engineer told him that he could use the “K1” mode twice, to which the pilot replied: “ Yes, I know. Please let me do it.. » A response heard again on lap 25 when Riccardo Adami suggested a way to avoid losing the DRS.

Proof that the two men are still searching for each other as the Transalpine driver wanted to salute his driver for his first time in red. 10th. Good job on the track. Can you press the reload button, please. We had some bad timing, but good job.. » To which Hamilton replied: “ Yes, it wasn't great, but at least we didn't come home empty-handed. Let's keep pushing. »

Vasseur reassures

This first Grand Prix of the season was not the easiest for Ferrari, caught out in qualifying and poorly rewarded in the race after attempting a strategic move when the rain arrived in the final laps.

The Scuderia thus left Australia with 8th and 10th positions under the checkered flag and the feeling that there is a lot of work to be done, both on a sporting and relational level. It was the first race, the first time we had to communicate between the pit wall and [him], and we can do a better job and know each other more, concedes director Frédéric Vasseur.

The strategy was difficult and we need to find a better way to communicate between him and the pit wall, but we will learn from this first race and that's not a problem. »

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