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 called ‘Bono’ has moved as much as head of race engineering however will stay as Hamilton’s race engineer for the rest of the season. Hamilton is believed to be extraordinarily happy that his engineer has been given a promotion.
When Hamilton introduced his shock transfer to Ferrari for subsequent 12 months, Bonnington was instantly linked to affix the British driver on the Scuderia.
Nevertheless, Bonnington will keep at Mercedes and is about to be race engineer for one of many crew’s two drivers in 2025. George Russell has a contract till the top of subsequent 12 months and Mercedes are but to announce his team-mate, however the favorite is System 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 after they had been preventing for victories, which was a sign to push exhausting earlier than a pit cease.
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Lewis Hamilton and his engineer Peter Bonnington rejoice on the rostrum collectively following his emotional British GP victory!
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 12 months’s British Grand Prix to finish a two-and-a-half 12 months winless streak on an emotional day for the crew.
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 day trip in Belgium after Russell was disqualified for an underweight automotive.
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 closing 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 time 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 may 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 seems to be again on Lewis Hamilton’s latest 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 crew principal Toto Wolff.
“We’ll look to proceed that progress into the ultimate 10 races of the season. We all know we’ve 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 may 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 slender 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 System 1 set to return from its summer time 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: Follow One
11am: Dutch GP Follow One (session begins 11.30am)
2.45pm: Dutch GP Follow Two (session begins 3pm)
4.25pm: F1 Academy: Follow Two
5.15pm: The F1 Present
Saturday August 24
9.10am: F1 Academy: Qualifying
10.15am: Dutch GP Follow 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
System 1 returns after the summer time 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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