Lewis Hamilton is gearing up to relocate to Italy for the 2025 season, marking a surprising end to his tenure with Mercedes. After enduring a prolonged underperformance, the British driver decided to part ways with the team, leaving him out of contention for a world title.
Hamilton opted to team up with Ferrari in pursuit of his record-breaking eighth world championship. However, recent race weekends have seen Mercedes surpass Ferrari and emerge as a solid rival to Red Bull and McLaren. This turn of events may cause some unease for Hamilton as he prepares to leave Mercedes, although his concerns could be alleviated if a crucial element of the Mercedes team were to follow him to Ferrari.
Bonnington Dubbed To Be Kimi Antonelli’s Race Engineer
A recent report by Formula1.Uno reveals that Bonnington will remain with the Brackley-based team. One of the main factors behind this decision is Kimi Antonelli, Hamilton’s successor. The young Italian sensation wowed everyone during testing, and Bono was eager to become his race engineer. Additionally, guiding a rookie presents an intriguing challenge for the experienced engineer.
However, the Silver Arrows have found their stride after a sluggish start, now outpacing Red Bull and rapidly climbing the ranks. In stark contrast, Ferrari is lost, with its development efforts seemingly moving in reverse. The Maranello-based team, once a fierce contender, is no longer challenging for the top positions. This stark divergence in fortunes between these two elite teams could spell trouble for Lewis Hamilton, who has claimed six world titles with Mercedes.
Hamilton, who shares a deep connection with the Mercedes crew and has been integral to their success, might now be eyeing a move to Ferrari. Such a transition could see him keen on bringing key team members along, ensuring continuity and success. Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, Hamilton’s trusted race engineer, was one such name. The 49-year-old has been by Hamilton’s side since the beginning of his illustrious career, playing a pivotal role in his dominance on the track. Their bond was further highlighted when Bono became emotional after Hamilton secured a victory after a 945-day drought. Given their close relationship, it was expected Bono would join Hamilton in a potential move to Maranello. However, the Briton would have to leave without his entrusted race engineer.
Lewis Hamilton’s Heartfelt Message For His Race Engineer Peter Bonnington
Lewis Hamilton opened up about his longstanding partnership with his race engineer, Peter “Bono” Bonnington, highlighting their deep bond over the years. Hamilton expressed pride in their relationship, which he believes is the longest-standing engineer-driver partnership in Formula 1 history. He emphasized the importance of consistency in their collaboration, noting how crucial it is to show up and perform every race weekend.
Moreover, Hamilton also praised Bono’s relentless dedication, describing him as his “right-hand man,” always focused and working tirelessly by his side. Hamilton values this close partnership greatly, and he’s committed to delivering the best results for the team this season, driven by the support and hard work of his trusted engineer.