Bono stays put: Mercedes promotes Hamilton’s trusted ally
Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, the long-standing race engineer who has been instrumental in Lewis Hamilton's success at Mercedes, will remain with the team in 2025 in an expanded role.
He therefore won’t be following Hamilton to Ferrari as initially anticipated, a surprising decision for some given the close bond between the two men who have worked together for over a decade, with the pair achieving remarkable success.
Bono’s calm and precise guidance over the radio has been a hallmark of Hamilton's race strategy, often playing a crucial role in the Briton’s success on the track.
Mercedes has confirmed that the 49-year-old engineer has been promoted to Head of Race Engineering at the Brackley squad but will continue to serve as Hamilton's race engineer until the end of the season.
Following the seven-time world champion’s move to Maranello at the end of the year, Bono will take on the role of race engineer in 2025 for either George Russell or the latter’s yet-to-be-decided teammate.
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Bonnington’s promotion to Head of Race Engineering reflects his deep experience and the trust Mercedes places in his abilities to lead the engineering team into the future.
The latest adjustments also ensure continuity and stability within the team as it adapts to Hamilton's exit.
Bono last joined Hamilton on an F1 podium at the British Grand Prix in July, where Hamilton secured a long-awaited victory after a two-and-a-half-year drought.
"I wouldn't say I was crying, but I definitely had something in my eye," Bonnington told Sky Sports, expressing the emotional impact of the home win.
"It's been a tough journey, and we've both worked tirelessly to get back to this point. It might seem like small steps, but we've taken a lot of them."
When Hamilton embarks on a new exciting chapter in his racing career with the legendary Scuderia, he’ll find a few familiar faces at the Italian outfit.
Hamilton is well acquainted with Ferrari senior performance engineer and ex-Mercedes man Jock Clear, while former Mercedes engineer Loic Serra will join the Scuderia as Head of Chassis Performance Engineering in October.
Finally, Hamilton also shares a strong bond Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur dating back to their time together at ART Grand Prix.
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