Mercedes block Lewis Hamilton from creating dream partnership at Ferrari when Brit leaves in 2025
Lewis Hamilton will make a fresh start next year at Ferrari
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Lewis Hamilton will not be joined by long-time race engineer Peter 'Bono' Bonnington when the seven-time world champion leaves for Ferrari next season.
It was revealed at the start of the year that Hamilton had reached a surprise agreement to end his contract with Mercedes early and join Ferrari from 2025.
The move spells a career-long end association with Mercedes for Hamilton as the car manufacturer also partnered with McLaren during his initial years in F1.
Hamilton has spent 12 years driving for the Silver Arrows, where he's won six of his seven world titles.
Lewis Hamilton will make a fresh start next year at Ferrari
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Toto Wolff has been by his side throughout that success as the team principal, but it's 'Bono' who has been the recognisable voice on Hamilton's team radio throughout his time with Mercedes.
The 49-year-old previously worked as Michael Schumacher's race engineer before the German racing icon left the team at the end of 2012.
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He then took on the role for Hamilton and has become one of the most recognisable voices in the world of F1.
But Hamilton will not be able to continue working with Bonnington when he leaves Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of the year.
Bonnington has committed his future to Mercedes after being given a promotion to become the team's head of race engineering.
The promotion will be made with immediate effect, although he'll finish the year as Hamilton's race engineer.
And it's been reported that he will also engineer Hamilton's eventual replacement at Mercedes.
There are growing reports that 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be named as Hamilton's replacement for next season.
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Peter Bonnington has been Lewis Hamilton's race engineer for 12 years
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The teenage sensation is currently in the middle of his debut F2 Championship campaign and has won two races.
He sits seventh in the Drivers' Championships standings heading into the next race weekend in Monza.
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Hamilton gave his backing to Antonelli to take his seat at Mercedes earlier this year.
He said: "Honestly, I have no idea what Toto's plans are, but for me, taking on a youngster, if it was my role, I would probably take on Kimi.
"The young Italian driver turns 18 this weekend with suggestions that he could be confirmed as Hamilton's replacement.
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