Hamilton’s Longtime Engineer Bono Stays at Mercedes as F1 Landscape Shifts Dramatically

In a significant shake-up within the Formula 1 landscape, Peter Bonnington, affectionately known as 'Bono,' will not be following Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari when the seven-time champion makes his much-anticipated move to the Scuderia in 2025. Bonnington, who has been instrumental in Hamilton's success during their 12-year partnership at Mercedes, has been elevated to the role of head of race engineering at the team. The 49-year-old engineer has been a constant presence on Hamilton's team radio, guiding the driver through both triumphs and challenges on race weekends. Bonnington will continue to serve as Hamilton's race engineer for the remainder of the current season, but his promotion at Mercedes signifies a new chapter for both him and the team. Looking ahead, Mercedes has plans to retain Bonnington's expertise as he takes on the dual role of managing the engineering for one of their drivers next season. George Russell, who is contracted through the end of 2025, is expected to remain a key figure in the team alongside rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli, currently competing in Formula 2. Hamilton, who has enjoyed considerable success with Bonnington—winning six of his seven world titles together—will face the challenge of adapting to a new race engineer when he transitions to Ferrari. Nevertheless, he will find some familiar faces in Maranello. Notably, Jock Clear, who now serves as Charles Leclerc's driver coach, was previously part of Hamilton's engineering team in 2013 and 2014. Additionally, Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari's team principal, has a history with Hamilton from their days in GP2, where he played a pivotal role in Hamilton's ascent to Formula 1. The changes also see Mercedes engineer Loic Serra moving to Ferrari as head of chassis performance engineering, further intertwining the histories of the two teams. As the dynamics evolve, it remains unclear whether Hamilton had sought Bonnington's partnership at Ferrari, especially considering that a 'non-poaching clause' in Bonnington's contract would have restricted such a move. In the wake of this news, both Hamilton and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff are likely to be questioned about the implications of Bonnington’s decision during the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix. This race marks the resumption of action in the sport after its summer break, and all eyes will be on how these changes will affect Mercedes' performance in the latter half of the season. Bonnington's expanded role at Mercedes will see him reporting to Andrew Shovlin, the trackside engineering director, where he will focus on the intricate details of car engineering. This includes determining the optimal aerodynamic and mechanical settings to enhance driver performance on the track. The approach mirrors that of Red Bull, where Max Verstappen's race engineer also holds the title of head of race engineering, highlighting a trend of integrating engineering and strategic oversight within successful teams. As the F1 landscape continues to evolve, the departure of Bonnington from the direct engineering role with Hamilton marks the end of an era for the pairing, while simultaneously opening doors for new opportunities and challenges. For Hamilton, forging a successful new relationship at Ferrari will be crucial to his hopes of continuing to add to his remarkable legacy in the sport.