As Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes era came to an end, his race engineer Peter Bonnington revealed the thing he’d miss the most about the former.
Lewis Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013 and was partnered with his race engineer, Peter Bonnington (Bono) since then.
However, with the seven-time champion ending his stay (end of 2024 season) at Brackley in order to join Ferrari, this marks the end of their reign together. This has led Bono to disclose the thing he will miss the most about the 39-year-old.
Peter Bonnington has partnered with three world champions throughout his time in F1. His most successful partnership came with Lewis Hamilton for over a decade at Mercedes. The pair’s synergy was often commended within the paddock. This aided them in winning six driver’s titles together as remained with each other through thick and thin.
On the contrary, Hamilton’s departure was dawning upon the Mercedes personnel. Moreover, the most affected by his exit would have been Bono, who had a well-established friendship with the world champion.
Subsequently, the 49-year-old soon dwelled deeper into his time with Hamilton. He revealed how the 39-year-old brought his A-game every race day, which made him an exceptional driver.
Lewis, he’s a Sunday man. Every Sunday he brings his A game. That’s what we saw [in Abu Dhabi]. That’s going to be the thing that I’m going to miss most about it, you know that when the lights go out you are going to get 100 percent out of the guy. He gives it his all every single race. That is his most endearing quality, the guy’s got racecraft of no other.
Peter Bonnington told Viaplay
Hamilton is expected to partner Carlos Sainz‘s former race engineer Riccardo Adami at the Scuderia. So, the Briton would be entering a new chapter altogether with a new hoard of faces surrounding him at Maranello.
The paddock asserts faith in Lewis Hamilton over tough 2024 season
On the other hand, Hamilton’s last season with Mercedes did not go as well as he expected. Despite winning two races, his year was marked with frustration and uneasiness with the W15. This led people to raise concerns over the 39-year-old’s longevity within the sport.
However, his former teammate and ex-world champion Nico Rosberg came in clutch to defend the Briton. He reckoned that with Hamilton switching teams and starting a new chapter in his career, the latter could possibly return to the brilliant driver he once was.
So I think he will be very worried about that, and we can only hope that he finds back to his good old self with a reset at Ferrari and is, once again, the brilliant driver we know.
Nico Rosberg said on Sky Sports F1 podcast
Hamilton is slated to get his first run behind a Ferrari challenger next month. Moreover, he would be showcasing the scarlet look at the F1 75 event as he would make his first public appearance wearing the iconic red colors. Thus, all eyes would be gathered around the seven-time champion and his possible outcomes over his maiden season with Ferrari.