Peter Bonnington celebrates a remarkable 12-season partnership with Lewis Hamilton, emphasizing the highs and their unforgettable shared success.
Peter Bonnington has been Lewis Hamilton’s engineer for 12 seasons at Mercedes F1, and he takes pride in what they have achieved together. ‘Bono,’ as his driver called him, chooses to focus on the positive memories of their collaboration.
“We’ve had highs and lows throughout our journey. We’ve had highs and lows, but the highs outweigh the lows a hundredfold. We are here tonight to celebrate, but it’s somewhat of a ritual,” said ‘Bono’ at the team’s end-of-season event.
“At the last race of the season, we all tend to come back here, gather, and reflect on what we’ve done. For Lewis, as you said, it’s the end of an era, the end of this chapter with him.”
The engineer recalls challenging storms they had to weather but holds no bad memories of a collaboration that spanned over a decade: “I’ve loved every minute, even the tough moments, because what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
“We’ve bounced back from really tough moments, but I’m extremely grateful to have been part of his life and his success. I can’t believe I’m still here doing it. He’s stuck with me this long, so I must be doing something right.”
He also values the role he played in keeping Hamilton focused and confident: “As you know, drivers tend not to have coaches, but we think engineers are actually the drivers’ coaches.”
“We’re here to support them in every technical aspect, but also psychologically, ensuring we stay united and on track.”
When asked what he will miss most about Hamilton, Bonnington’s answer is straightforward: “As always, Lewis is a Sunday man. Every Sunday, he gives his absolute best.”
“That’s what I’ll miss most—you know when the lights go out, you’re getting 100% from this guy. He gives everything in every race. That’s his most endearing quality; he has an extraordinary sense of racing.”
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Bonnington Reflects: ‘Highs Outweigh Lows’ in Hamilton Era Bonnington Reflects: ‘Highs Outweigh Lows’ in Hamilton Era
