Lewis Hamilton shared a heartfelt moment with his former Formula 1 race engineer, Peter Bonnington, following the Mexico City Grand Prix. ‘Bono’ played a pivotal role in guiding Hamilton to six of his seven world titles during their 12 years together at Mercedes, establishing one of the most legendary driver-engineer partnerships in F1 history.
Hamilton and Bonnington hold the record as the most successful driver-engineer pairing in Formula 1. At the Mexico City race, Bonnington engineered Hamilton’s successor, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, to clinch his first world championship. After the race, Hamilton was seen warmly embracing Bonnington, celebrating the success of his close friend and former colleague.
Antonelli secured his maiden F1 world title in only his second season by finishing third, behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Hamilton. This victory marked Bonnington’s eighth world championship, adding to the six he earned with Hamilton and one he achieved while working with Jenson Button at Brawn GP.
Speaking on BBC F1’s The Chequered Flag podcast after the race, Bonnington reflected, “Each championship is special in its own way and very different. I loved every year working with Lewis, even the challenging times. I remain incredibly proud of the moments we shared. He’s truly one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met.”
Hamilton described witnessing Antonelli’s title win and celebrating alongside him on the podium as the “highlight” of his season. On Instagram, the 41-year-old said, “A huge congratulations to the new champion, Kimi Antonelli. Watching your journey closely and being there to celebrate with you has been a career highlight for me. Your achievement is well deserved and historic. It was fantastic to see the Mercedes team celebrate with you. Cherish this moment, keep close to your family, and maintain your passion and energy.”
Antonelli shared his intentions to frame the memorable photo of being lifted on the shoulders of Verstappen and Hamilton. “I will definitely frame the picture and hang it in my home because it represents an incredible moment. Seeing respect from two of the sport’s greatest in one image is truly special—this memory will stay with me forever.”
Fan Take: This touching reunion highlights the deep bonds behind the scenes that fuel success in Formula 1. Seeing a legend like Hamilton celebrate the rise of the sport’s next star signals a thrilling generational shift that promises an exciting future for racing fans worldwide.
Source: www.crash.net
