Hamilton won't reunite with 'Bono' at Ferrari; engineer search continues

Lewis Hamilton faces a fresh start at Ferrari without his most trusted ally. After a turbulent 2025 season characterized by communication breakdowns with Riccardo Adami, Hamilton will enter the 2026 campaign with a third different race engineer in as many seasons. Crucially, a reunion with his long-time Mercedes partner, Peter "Bono" Bonnington, has been definitively ruled out.

Why it matters:

The driver-engineer relationship is the cockpit's lifeline. Hamilton's struggles in 2025 were exacerbated by the lack of synergy with Adami, contrasting sharply with the telepathic understanding he shared with Bonnington during their dominant era at Mercedes. Securing the right engineer is vital for Hamilton to adapt to Ferrari's new project and challenge for a record eighth title.

The Details:

• Adami's Departure: Ferrari has moved Adami to a role focusing on the Ferrari Driver Academy and TPC running after a season where the partnership failed to gel. A notable low point occurred during the 2025 finale when Hamilton asked Adami to stop giving position updates, signaling a fractured relationship.
• Bonnington's Role: Peter Bonnington remains at Mercedes, promoted to head of trackside performance. He will also guide rookie Kimi Antonelli, ensuring continuity for the Silver Arrows rather than following his driver to Italy.
• Gardening Leave: Even if Ferrari pursued Bonnington, his seniority would trigger a lengthy gardening leave—potentially over a year—to protect Mercedes IP. This would delay his trackside arrival until 2027, a timeline that doesn't align with Hamilton's immediate needs.

What's next:

Ferrari is yet to announce Adami's replacement just weeks before pre-season testing begins in Australia. Hamilton must quickly build rapport with a new voice in his ear as the team launches its 2026 challenger. With the new regulations resetting the grid, establishing a seamless working relationship will be critical to putting the disappointments of 2025 behind them.