Lewis Hamiltons engineer Bono extends contract with Mercedes after rumors of joining the F1

F1 often brings different sets of people close to each other when they work in the same workplace. Multiple drivers over the years have had a sound friendship with their race engineers but none of them have gotten close to Lewis Hamilton and Peter Bonnington‘s(Bono) relationship. However, this coalition is set to witness its last spell together as the seven-time world champion is set to leave for Ferrari, while his race engineer has extended his stay at Mercedes.

Peter Bonnington became Lewis Hamilton‘s race engineer when the latter joined the Brackley-based squad in 2013. Before being a race engineer to Hamilton, he was the voice that accompanied Michael Schumacher. With the experience of aiding two seven-time world champions, Mercedes was keen on saving the 49-year-old as he had tremendous expertise.

According to Autosport, the German marque successfully convinced Bono to stay at Brackley for longer as he has thus, been promoted to the head of race engineering. This would have been a big blow for Hamilton as he expected the 49-year-old to follow him to Maranello.

On the other hand, Bonnington would manage both duties till the end of the season. After that, it is expected that he would move to Brackley or take his stance in the pit wall, but leave his role of being the race engineer for the incoming second Mercedes driver.

Lewis Hamilton gives a heartfelt message for Bono

After signing his deal with Ferrari, the 39-year-old knew that multiple engineers would not follow him to the Italian outfit as he supposedly had a clause in his contract preventing him from poaching any personnel. However, fearing his relationship with Bono ending soon, Hamilton shared a heartfelt message earlier this year.

He asserted that his relationship with his race engineer had been one of the strongest.

Bono[Peter Bonnington] and I, we've been through thick and thin together, and I love the guy. We've had such a great relationship. I think we have the longest standing engineer and driver relationship that's ever been in our sport. And that's something I'm really proud of. He stood by me through thick and thin and vice versa, he’s been through some difficult times in his life.

The future Ferrari driver claimed he and his race engineer had been with each other through thick and thin. Furthermore, he asserted that he was really proud of the work the pair had done together throughout their time at Mercedes.

On the other hand, before beginning his new chapter at Ferrari, Hamilton would like to bid adieu to the Brackley-based squad with some wonderful gifts. Thus, he would be hoping to win a few more races by the end of the season and help the German giant catapult higher in the constructor’s standings (currently P4).

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