(Video) “I was shocked,” Lewis Hamilton’s ex-engineer Bono makes heartbreaking confession over Ferrari news

Lewis Hamilton's ex-race engineer Peter 'Bono' Bonnington recalled the rollercoaster of emotions he faced during Hamilton's switch to Ferrari.

(Video) “I was shocked,” Lewis Hamilton’s ex-engineer Bono makes heartbreaking confession over Ferrari news

Bono (via Getty, Screenshot via @simsgazette/X), Lewis Hamilton (via Ferrari).jpg

Lewis Hamilton made a shocking switch to Ferrari for the 2025 season, ditching his long-time team, Mercedes after over 12 years. The Briton achieved extreme success with the German outfit, winning six world championships with Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington as his race engineer. Hamilton also had to leave his beloved race engineer at Brackley after switching to the Scuderia. Now, Bono has made a heartbreaking confession about the 40-year-old’s move to Maranello.

Lewis Hamilton was paired up with Bono ever since his Mercedes debut and went through massive ups and downs with him. The driver-engineer duo also became one of the most successful pairs on the F1 grid after achieving six drivers’ titles in total. Hamilton reportedly tried to take Bono with him to Ferrari, but Mercedes prevented the move and promoted the race engineer within the team. Hence, the two parted ways ahead of the 2025 season and are likely to never work again as a duo.

Bono and Lewis Hamilton’s bond was so deep that the former even mistook his current driver, Kimi Antonelli, to be Hamilton and called him by his name. Despite being so close, Bono was completely unaware that the Briton’s talks with Ferrari were in motion. Now, speaking about the 40-year-old’s shocking switch in teams, the race engineer highlighted that he was utterly shocked after knowing about it. Moreover, he recalled the time and pointed out that his emotions were all over the place as the news was too much to handle altogether.

I was shocked. The emotions were all over the place.

Bono said

After working together for over 12 years, it was understood that the duo might retire together. However, Hamilton’s switch now means that he will retire with a completely new race engineer. Bono pointed out that after working with him for so long, he wished to see his final days with the 40-year-old. But, the 50-year-old is set to continue working with Kimi Antonelli before exiting the sport as an engineer.

I hoped that I would have seen out my days with Lewis, as an engineer.

Bono added

Lewis Hamilton asserts he was ‘not disrespectful’ at Miami GP

Lewis Hamilton’s bond with his current race engineer at Ferrari, Ricciardo Adami, is off to a rocky start. The Briton has already had a massive argument with Adami on two different races (Australia and Miami). At the Miami GP, Hamilton was distressed due to the awkward strategy from Maranello that caused him a crucial track position. However, despite the sarcastic remarks made on the radio, the 40-year-old clarified that he meant no disrespect to the team.

Lewis Hamilton (via Planetf1)
Lewis Hamilton (via Planetf1)

Hamilton reckoned that he had no control over what the media would write about his little lashout on the team radio. Still, he stood firm on his belief that he was not disrespectful or too harsh. He even made up with Fred Vasseur after the race and neutralized the situation. Moreover, the 40-year-old reiterated that he wouldn’t apologize to the team for being a fighter and wanting quick decisions while racing on the track.

I don’t know what you’re going to write, or whether I was disrespectful or whatever. I honestly don’t feel I was. I was like, ‘come on guys, I want to win’. I’m not going to apologise for being a fighter. I’m not going to apologise for still wanting it.

Lewis Hamilton said, as reported by motorsport.com

Ferrari did commit a massive blunder in strategy that caused Lewis Hamilton to burn out his tires earlier than expected. As such, the team must work on their decisions and ensure that such a situation isn’t repeated. Hamilton’s frustration is only going to go up if the troubles continue with seemingly no end. The seven-time champion is still motivated to improve with the team and potentially contend for the drivers’ title by the end of the season.

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