Lewis Hamilton is preparing for a move to Italy in 2025 after a surprising end to his time with Mercedes. After enduring a prolonged period of underperformance, the British driver decided to leave the team.
Hamilton has chosen to join forces with Ferrari in a bid for his historic eighth world championship. However, in recent races, Mercedes has outperformed Ferrari, establishing itself as a formidable competitor to Red Bull and McLaren. This shift could cause some apprehension for Hamilton as he transitions away from Mercedes, though his concerns might be eased if a key figure from the Mercedes camp were to join him at Ferrari.
Bonnigton Will Assist One Of The Mercedes Drivers In 2025
A recent report by Formula1.Uno has revealed that Bonnington will stay with the Brackley-based team. Kimi Antonelli, Hamilton’s anticipated successor, is a key reason for this decision. The young Italian sensation impressed everyone during testing, and Bono was eager to become his race engineer. Additionally, mentoring a rookie offers an intriguing challenge for the seasoned engineer.
Meanwhile, the Silver Arrows have found their momentum after a slow start, surpassing Red Bull and climbing rapidly in the rankings. In contrast, Ferrari appears floundering, with their development efforts seemingly regressing. Once a fierce contender, the Maranello-based team no longer competes for top positions. This stark contrast in fortunes between these elite teams could cause concern for Lewis Hamilton, who has secured six world titles with Mercedes.
Hamilton, who shares a deep bond with the Mercedes team and has been a key figure in their success, might now consider moving to Ferrari. Such a transition could involve him bringing key team members along to ensure continuity and success. Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, Hamilton’s trusted race engineer, was one such name. The 49-year-old has been with Hamilton since the beginning of his illustrious career, playing a crucial role in his dominance on the track. Their close relationship was further emphasized when Bono became emotional after Hamilton ended a 945-day victory drought. Given their strong connection, it was expected that Bono would follow Hamilton in a potential move to Maranello. However, Hamilton may have to transition without his trusted race engineer.
Mercedes Grappling With 2024 Tyre Temperature Issue
The Silver Arrows are facing significant challenges with tyre temperature management. While the W15 performs well in cooler conditions, it struggles to maintain speed as temperatures rise. Andrew Shovlin has identified this as one of the team’s major issues, impeding their progress. The problem arises as the tyres reach higher temperatures, making it increasingly difficult to keep them cool in warm conditions. This could lead to ongoing balancing difficulties for the drivers if not addressed.
Shovlin has acknowledged that the tyres tend to be warmer than those of other teams, which can be advantageous in cooler weather. However, this advantage turns into a major drawback in hotter conditions. He stressed the urgency of addressing this issue but noted that a single aerodynamic update will not suffice. Instead, the team will need to implement a series of developments over time to rectify the problem gradually.
