Hamilton’s Hug for Bonnington Draws Fan Praise After Antonelli’s Maiden Title

Lewis Hamilton’s post-race embrace with former Mercedes engineer Peter “Bono” Bonnington at the Mexican Grand Prix drew widespread praise after footage spread online. The gesture came after Kimi Antonelli, Hamilton’s Mercedes successor, clinched his first title in only his second F1 season.

Why it matters:

The moment underlined Hamilton and Bonnington’s bond, built through six of Hamilton’s seven titles. It also marked a milestone for the engineer who helped guide a rookie to F1’s biggest prize.

The details:

• Hamilton started from pole for Ferrari and finished second behind Max Verstappen; Antonelli completed the podium in third.
• Bonnington moved to Antonelli after Hamilton joined Ferrari in 2025; their partnership delivered a title in 2026.
• Fans on Reddit praised Hamilton’s class in congratulating Bonnington despite a frustrating race.
  • One called the podium trio “fantastic” and the weekend’s images “class.”
  • Another noted Bonnington’s mixed emotions: happy for Antonelli, but aware it could have been Hamilton’s eighth title.
• Others said Bonnington has been one of the season’s big winners, using his experience to support a young driver through a title fight.

What’s next:

Hamilton’s Ferrari chapter continues, while Mercedes must manage Antonelli’s title defense. The embrace will linger as a reminder of how tightly F1’s rivalries and relationships overlap.