Lewis Hamilton Leaves His Mercedes Race Engineer Holding On to Dear Life as They Take a Final Ride Together

The bond between Lewis Hamilton and his race engineer Pete “Bono” Bonnington has been forged through 12 years of victories, challenges, and for fans a whole anthology of unforgettable radio moments.

With the pair preparing to part ways following Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes to Ferrari, the seven-time World Champion gave Bono a fitting farewell. A hot lap around the Yas Marina Circuit in a Mercedes AMG GTR! The experience, captured on video, offered fans a glimpse of the camaraderie that has defined one of F1’s most successful driver-engineer partnerships ever.

An emotional hot lap to remember

“Right, let’s go, bud, one last time,” Bono said as he settled into the passenger seat, his excitement palpable despite the tight squeeze into the sports car. Hamilton, in the driver’s seat, couldn’t resist teasing him: “You know what’s funny? We’ve got no freaking tires left now!” referencing one of their iconic recurring radio messages during the Grand Prix whenever Hamilton wasn’t happy with his F1 car’s tire life.

With that, they sped off, skidding around turns and passing other cars, as Bono alternated between nervous laughter and sheer exhilaration.At one point, Hamilton joked, “Shoot, it’s a bit loose on the turn,” as the car slid slightly. Bono’s reaction was joyous, exclaiming, “Sweet!” as the car roared down the track. The exchange epitomized the chemistry between the two, with Bono poking fun back at Lewis, “Oh man, I don’t get why you hate testing?! That is so much fun.”

Hamilton responded with a chuckle, explaining, “It’s because the tires get hot and then… you spin.” Bono interjected, “I can see why you need a physio now!” By the end of the lap, Bono was grinning ear to ear, thanking Hamilton for the unforgettable experience: “That was mega, man. Thank you, mate.” Hamilton’s reply was equally heartfelt: “Appreciate you, mate.”

The lap was more than just a joyride for the duo and their fans. It was a celebration of a partnership that has delivered six world titles and 84 race wins. These accolades make it the most successful driver-engineer pairing in F1 history. As Hamilton moves on to Ferrari, leaving Bono to step into a leadership role at Mercedes, their mutual respect and camaraderie remain intact.

A bittersweet goodbye at Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the conclusion of Lewis Hamilton’s illustrious career with Mercedes. However, his last season has been anything but smooth sailing. From early struggles with the W15 car to a heartbreaking Q1 elimination after hitting a dislodged bollard, it’s been a challenging year. In fact, the struggles even left the ever-confident seven-time world champion questioning his performances.

“I’m just slow,” Hamilton admitted earlier this season, reflecting on his struggles to match teammate George Russell in qualifying. Despite trailing Russell 18-6 in head-to-heads and 26 points behind in the standings despite Hamilton inheriting a win after Russell was disqualified from his astonishing victory in Spa and facing a car ill-suited to his driving style, Hamilton never lost his competitive spirit. He has come alive whenever the car has shown winning potential. “I know I’ve still got it,” he insisted. “It’s just the car won’t go a bit faster.”

Amidst the lows, there were moments of triumph, none more significant than his long-overdue victory at Silverstone. Breaking a two-and-a-half-year winless streak at his home Grand Prix, the Englishman was visibly emotional as he crossed the finish line, a reminder of the grit and determination that has defined his career. “It’s been a really emotional year for me,” Lewis Hamilton later admitted, reflecting on the personal and professional toll of his final season with Mercedes.

Team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the strain, calling Hamilton’s decision to leave for Ferrari a “bumpy year” for everyone involved. “When he told us, we knew it would be tough,” Wolff said. “But to go through the ups and downs and still keep it together—that’s something we’ve achieved.”

Despite the challenges, Hamilton remains proud of his journey with Mercedes. “This weekend isn’t about the results,” he said in Abu Dhabi. “It’s about celebrating everything we’ve accomplished together.” From record-breaking wins to heartbreaking losses, Hamilton’s legacy with Mercedes is indelibly etched in Formula 1 history. And as he looks forward to a new chapter with Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc, the memories of his partnership with Bono and the team will remain as enduring as the records they shattered together.