Lewis Hamilton interpreter needed to decode 'Lewis speak' after major Ferrari change

Martin Brundle is in no doubt that "something needed to change" after witnessing Lewis Hamilton's relationship with race engineer Riccardo Adami at Ferrari last year.

After many years of Hamilton's successful partnership with Pete Bonnington at Mercedes, the seven-time F1 champion found himself with a new voice in his ear over grands prix weekends when he made the shock move to Ferrari.

It was immediately clear that Hamilton and Adami were not aligned in their communication, and even over time, as the season wore on, their alliance often appeared strained.

Former F1 driver and Sky Sports F1 co-commentator Brundle feels Ferrari made a mistake in not bringing in someone who at least would have had a better understanding of Hamilton, how he operates behind the wheel of a car, and the language he uses.

The fractious association between Hamilton and Adami resulted in the latter recently losing his position as race engineer and taking on a new role as manager of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy and its testing of previous cars.

"Surprised it probably didn't happen a bit earlier, really, judging by all the things that were going on earlier last year," said Brundle, to Sky Sports F1 regarding Ferrari's decision over Adami.

Brundle feels Ferrari made the wrong call over Adami at the very beginning, and that Hamilton required certain people around him in that area.

"Something I said on Sky F1 is that Lewis needed to go there with a team, so they understood 'Lewis speak' when he's at least inside the car, what it all means, and to interpret what Lewis really needs behind the wheel.

"I think he needed some help to really flourish there quickly, so let's see who turns up as his engineer now.

"But just listening to the radio, and watching the performances, although they obviously put a varnish on it, didn't they, through last season, something needed to change."