Smedley: Bonnington 'everything' for Antonelli's title charge

Kimi Antonelli's 2026 title charge owes much to more than his own talent. The Mercedes driver, 81 points clear of George Russell, credits race engineer Peter Bonnington as a key factor. Former F1 engineer Rob Smedley says Bonnington deserves huge credit for keeping Antonelli focused — but stresses the 20-year-old must deliver on Sunday.

Why it matters:

The driver-engineer relationship can define a title campaign. For Antonelli, having someone with Bonnington's pedigree — he worked with Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher — is an invaluable safety net.

The details:

• On the High Performance Racing podcast, Smedley joked: "Bono is everything. Without the engineer, these lads would be nowhere."
• "He keeps him on the straight and narrow. But Kimi's the pedal bracket. He's the one who's got to deliver on Sunday afternoon," Smedley added.
• Otmar Szafnauer noted: "Antonelli's part of the feedback loop too. He tells Bono what he wants, and Bono does it."
• Antonelli called working with Bonnington a "privilege", citing his experience with two of F1's all-time greats.

What's next:

With an 81-point cushion and eight wins, Antonelli's title path looks clear. The partnership will be tested as the season peaks, but youthful ambition and veteran guidance are proving a winning combination.