A clip of Hamilton embracing his former Mercedes engineer, Peter “Bono” Bonnington, exploded online after the Mexican Grand Prix.
Bonnington guided Hamilton through six titles at Brackley. When the seven‑time champion switched to Ferrari in 2025, the veteran engineer teamed up with Kimi Antonelli, Hamilton’s successor.
Antonelli clinched his first championship in Mexico during only his second F1 season, and Hamilton was seen hugging Bonnington in celebration.
One Reddit user called the weekend “classy,” praising the podium line‑up. Max Verstappen took the win at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, while pole‑sitter Hamilton and Antonelli filled out second and third.
Another fan wrote, “Lewis is a classy guy; he’s still sore about the incident, yet he’s putting it aside to cheer his friends who deserve it.”
A comment read, “Hamilton still feels like a Mercedes driver, just in a different suit.” Another added, “Bono must feel bittersweet—happy for Antonelli but wishing it’d been Hamilton’s eighth.”
Fans also noted, “Bono has been a huge winner this year. Imagine engineering for perhaps the greatest driver ever, then shifting to a rookie. The partnership gave Antonelli the seasoned support he needed to succeed.” For my money, Bonnington’s switch to a rookie was a masterstroke.
Photos from F1 Mexican GP – Sunday
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– The Team