Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer Peter Bonnington has been given a promotion at Mercedes and won’t be a part of the seven-time world champion at Ferrari.
Sky Sports activities Information understands Bonnington, also referred to as ‘Bono’ has moved as much as head of race engineering however will stay as Hamilton’s race engineer for the rest of the season.
When Hamilton introduced his shock transfer to Ferrari for subsequent yr, Bonnington was instantly linked to hitch the British driver on the Scuderia.
Nevertheless, Bonnington will keep at Mercedes and is about to be race engineer for one of many staff’s two drivers in 2025. George Russell has a contract till the top of subsequent yr and Mercedes are but to announce his team-mate, however the favorite is Method 2 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Bonnington was Michael Schumacher’s race engineer at Mercedes for 18 months earlier than turning into the voice in Hamilton’s ear when he joined the Silver Arrows in 2013.
He grew to become well-known for his “it’s hammer time Lewis” radio message to Hamilton once they had been preventing for victories, which was a sign to push laborious earlier than a pit cease.
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Lewis Hamilton wins the British GP and is left emotional on the staff radio straight after
The pair have received six drivers’ titles collectively at Mercedes, together with 84 race wins and 78 pole positions. Bonnington was on the rostrum with Hamilton when he received this yr’s British Grand Prix to finish a two-and-a-half yr winless streak on an emotional day for the staff.
Mercedes have received three of the final 4 F1 races forward of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, with Hamilton selecting up the victory final outing in Belgium after Russell was disqualified for an underweight automobile.
Wolff vows Mercedes can ‘shut hole’ in championships as F1 returns
Hamilton will look so as to add to his two wins this season within the remaining 10 races of 2024 earlier than he leaves Mercedes.
The 39-year-old goes into Zandvoort on the again of three podiums earlier than the summer season break, together with wins at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps.
Mercedes have made massive strides to catch Crimson Bull and McLaren by way of outright tempo, so might play a job within the Constructors’ Championship battle in the event that they take factors away from their rivals.
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Martin Brundle appears to be like again on Lewis Hamilton’s current difficult expertise at Mercedes till the breakthrough second at Silverstone the place he took the win
Crimson Bull lead McLaren by 42 factors within the standings, with Ferrari 63 factors adrift of the defending champions. Russell’s disqualification in Belgium means Mercedes are 142 factors away from Crimson Bull.
“Ahead of the summer break, we built momentum with an improved car and stronger results,” stated Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff.
“We’ll look to proceed that progress into the ultimate 10 races of the season. We all know now we have floor to make up. We aren’t but capable of compete for victories at each Grand Prix.
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Talking on the Sky Sports activities F1 Podcast, David Croft believes McLaren might overhaul Crimson Bull within the Constructors Championship this season
“We have made good steps in improving the W15’s weaknesses though and will continue to work hard to take more. If we can do so, then we will close the gap to those ahead in both championships.
“Zandvoort is a difficult observe. With its banked corners, high-speed sections, and slim format, it has an old-school really feel.
“The passionate Dutch fans always create a great atmosphere. It is a good place to get back to work and we’re excited for the challenges ahead over the rest of the season.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s stay Dutch GP schedule
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With Method 1 set to return from its summer season break, we glance again at how the season has panned out to this point
Thursday August 22
12.30pm: Drivers press convention
Friday August 23
9.05am: F1 Academy: Observe One
11am: Dutch GP Observe One (session begins 11.30am)
2.45pm: Dutch GP Observe Two (session begins 3pm)
4.25pm: F1 Academy: Observe Two
5.15pm: The F1 Present
Saturday August 24
9.10am: F1 Academy: Qualifying
10.15am: Dutch GP Observe Three (session begins 10.30am)
1pm: Dutch GP Qualifying build-up
2pm: DUTCH GP QUALIFYING
4pm: F1 Academy: Race One
Sunday August 25
9.40am: F1 Academy: Race Two
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Dutch GP build-up
2pm: The DUTCH GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Dutch GP response
Method 1 returns after the summer season break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime.
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