Toto Wolff thinks Mercedes need ‘discussions’ with key Lewis Hamilton ally after Ferrari announcement

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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff claims the Silver Arrows must speak with Peter Bonnington about the possibility of him following Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari in 2025.

The Silver Arrows are now on the lookout for a new driver following the news that Hamilton will join Ferrari after the 2024 F1 season. But the 39-year-old’s decision to activate an option in his contract to quit Mercedes also raises questions about Bonnington’s future in Brackley.

Bonnington has been Hamilton’s race engineer ever since the seven-time drivers’ champion joined Mercedes in 2013. So, natural doubts have arisen about the 48-year-old following his compatriot to Maranello. The Britons’ bond is close after their long and successful affiliation.

Hamilton and Bonnington have been a formidable pair at Mercedes

Drivers often take a close ally, such as their race engineer, with them whenever they change teams in Formula 1. Hamilton and Bonnington have also worked together to win six drivers’ championships, plus 82 Grand Prix wins, 78 pole positions and 148 podium finishes thus far.

So, having Bonnington beside him in Maranello may help Hamilton make the transition from Mercedes to Ferrari a bit easier. But it remains to be seen if the British engineer is also ready to relocate to Italy. It can be a tougher choice for Bonnington than Monaco-based Hamilton.

Bonnington has also worked in Brackley since before Mercedes bought Brawn GP after their drivers’ and constructors’ championship-winning 2009 season. He first arrived whilst Honda still owned the F1 team following a spell with Jordan to launch his career as an F1 engineer.

Wolff will not simply rely on Bonnington’s lengthy tenure in Brackley

Wolff will not rely on Bonnington’s long-standing commitment to the Brackley-based outfit following Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari, though. The Silver Arrows team principal and part-owner intends to speak with the engineer about his future at the factory.

“I think this is a discussion that everyone needs to have in the coming months,” Wolff said, via Motorsport-Total. “And as much as I talked to Bono, when I told him [that Hamilton will leave Mercedes], he said, ‘Is it April 1st?’. This is something we will discuss in the future.”

Bonnington, likely with many F1 fans, questioning if February 1 was April 1 when Mercedes and Ferrari announced Hamilton’s decision to change teams suggests the engineer was not considering his future. But Hamilton’s move might now tempt him to consider one, as well.