Peter Bonnington rejected Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari offer after what he saw from Kimi Antonelli

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Lewis Hamilton has worked with Peter Bonnington ever since he joined Mercedes in 2013. The partnership between the driver and race engineer has been the most successful in F1 history.

Hamilton has won six world championships during his time at Brackley, in addition to 84 Grands Prix. He ended a two-and-a-half-year drought when he took victory on home soil last month.

After an emotional exchange on the radio, Hamilton shared the podium with Bonnington. It was an indication of the strength of their bond.

But with the 39-year-old headed to Ferrari at the end of the season, there have been question marks around Bonnington’s future. Mercedes will be trying to keep him given his senior status and track record, but Hamilton may have planned to bring him to Maranello.

Toto Wolff is set to offer Kimi Antonelli the seat in what is an enormous gamble. Still yet to turn 18, he’ll be the youngest driver on the grid, with just half a season of Formula 2 action under his belt.

Mercedes see Antonelli as the next Max Verstappen, which is why they think he can cope with the unparalleled pressure of succeeding Hamilton. Wolff is inspired by the success of Oscar Piastri, who recently won his first race for McLaren.

Peter Bonnington to work with Kimi Antonelli after ‘extremely impressive’ tests

According to Formu1a.uno, Bonnington is no longer considering a move to Ferrari. Hamilton tried to convince him ‘until the very end’, but he’s opted to stay put.

This comes after he watched Antonelli in action in his private testing programme for Mercedes. The Silver Arrows have been assessing the Italian in their 2021 and 2022 cars, which is permitted under the regulations.

Bonnington was ‘extremely impressed’ by what he saw from Antonelli and is now in ‘pole position’ to serve as his race engineer. He already carried out the role during a recent run at Spa.

When Hamilton arrived at Mercedes, he was already a world champion. This, then, will be an altogether different challenge for ‘Bono’, but an exciting one nonetheless as he oversees the development of one of motorsport’s brightest talents.

What Lewis Hamilton has asked Sebastian Vettel about Ferrari move

This news will come as a blow to Hamilton. He faces a daunting adaptation phase when he arrives in Italy, but the familiar voice of Bonnington could have made it easier.

Instead, he’s likely to link up with Riccardo Adami, currently Carlos Sainz’s race engineer. Together they have won three Grands Prix, most recently in Australia back in March.

One report claims Hamilton called Sebastian Vettel to ask about Adami earlier this year. His former rival worked with the Italian during his time at Ferrari.

Hamilton has also held some discussions with Charles Leclerc over what he can expect in 2025. He’s laying the groundwork for what he hopes will be an eighth world championship in scarlet red.