Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari campaign ended much the way it had unfolded all year: flashes of brilliance, plenty of frustration, and a radio channel that could probably qualify for its own reality show.
The seven-time world champion clawed his way to eighth place in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, wrapping up a difficult debut season in red that – astonishingly – featured no podium finishes, a first in the Briton’s F1 career.
But while Hamilton’s on-track struggles have been well-documented, the most enduring subplot of 2025 may be his occasionally exasperated exchanges with his race engineer Riccardo Adami.
If anyone thought the season finale at Yas Marina would bring détente, they were mistaken.
Track Limits, Track Tempers
The tension first crackled over the airwaves when Hamilton collected his second track-limits warning.
Adami dutifully reported: “Pay attention track limits turn 1, we got the second strike.”
Hamilton, already juggling tyres, traffic, and Ferrari’s unpredictable SF-25, snapped back: “Let me know when I get the first one, man! Sh, man!”
The plea – half scolding, half baffled – was classic 2025 Hamilton-Adami energy: a driver demanding clarity and an engineer trying to keep the universe in order.
The next flashpoint came as Hamilton carved through the midfield, hunting down Gabriel Bortoleto.
Adami chimed in with another calm update: “Racing Bortoleto ahead.”
Hamilton, sounding like a teacher correcting a student who’s over-explaining the obvious, replied:
“Stop telling me I’m racing people. I know I’m racing him, man. Just leave me to it. I’m racing everyone ahead of me.”
‘Stop confirming!’
As the race settled into its middle phase, Hamilton radioed in a note about Haas charger Ollie Bearman running off at Turn 1.
The Briton offered the information with a polite tone that suggested he was trying – really trying – to keep things smooth: “Bearman off at Turn 1.”
Adami answered as any conscientious engineer might: “Okay, reporting.”
But Hamilton had reached his limit of middle-management-style acknowledgements: “No need to confirm, man. I’m just telling you!”
Adami, unfazed, said: “Understood.”
Hamilton, no longer unfazed, shot back: “Stop confirming!!”
Somewhere in the Ferrari garage, someone likely muted their headset, eyes rolling.
An Eerie Silence
Even after the chequered flag, the season’s most awkward double act wasn’t done.
Adami wrapped up the race with encouragement: “P8. It was a pretty good job out there, well done. Very good come back.”
Hamilton’s response was surprisingly warm, almost reflective: “Long season, guys… Thank you for your kindness, I’m grateful for all the hard work. I’ll always fight for you guys, always. That’s it.”
Then came… silence.
Hamilton waited. And waited. Then, pointedly: “Did you get that message? The one time you don’t reply…”
A flustered Adami eventually returned to the channel: “Yea we got it. Sorry we were talking. Thank you very much, it was awesome working with you. Grazie mille.”
Cue the curtain on their first year as Formula 1’s most oddly compelling radio duo.
What’s Next?
Over the course of the season, Hamilton has repeatedly insisted that the radio tension with Adami is nothing more than heat-of-the-moment racecraft, not a sign of deeper division. And in fairness, Ferrari’s campaign gave both men plenty to think about without adding interpersonal drama to the mix.
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Still, after 24 races of clipped exchanges, testy corrections, and the occasional philosophical silence, one question lingers heading into the winter:
Will Lewis Hamilton be hearing a fresh voice in his ears at Ferrari next year?
Stay tuned. With this pairing, the radio is never quiet for long.
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