Lewis Hamilton and Peter Bonnington at Ferrari: why it would have been “a dangerous game”. Rob Smedley on Lewis Hamilton and Peter Bonnington parting ways at the end of the season.

The end of an era, but without regrets
After twelve years of great success, the paths of Lewis Hamilton and Peter Bonnington, one of the most iconic pairs in Formula 1 history, will separate. Although there was much talk in recent months about the possible arrival of the Briton at Maranello, “Bono” ultimately decided to stay with Mercedes, with Kimi Antonelli ready to begin his adventure at Brackley alongside one of the most highly regarded race engineers.

“I’m really happy for Bono,” commented Lewis Hamilton a few weeks ago. “I just wanted him to do what was best for him. At this point in his life, he needed to make the best decision for what would be best for him and his family. This doesn’t change anything, really, between us. We won’t be working side by side every day anymore, which will be sad for both of us, but we will always be part of each other’s lives. Bono is my brother.” – the future Ferrari driver added.

However, according to Rob Smedley, who along with Felipe Massa formed another historic duo at Ferrari from 2006 to 2013, the split couldn’t have come at a better time for both.

“A driver like Lewis chooses his team,” said the 50-year-old from Middlesbrough on the Formula For Success podcast. “When a seven-time world champion chooses your team to come work in, I don’t think he needs to bring an entourage with him. And I’ve always spoken about this publicly, both for Lewis himself, I think, but also for people like Bono. I think it’s a pretty dangerous game to follow the driver.”

“Because if the driver falls out of favor or decides after a year that this isn’t for him, he can’t take the entourage with him. So I think Lewis did the right thing. Obviously, he would have had ‘Team LH’ around him, his management, his trainers, and people like that, but I think trying to bring engineers along would have been a bit of a misstep.”

Rob Smedley then added: “I think the team (Ferrari) will welcome him. If you come there with a reputation like the one Lewis has for being able to deliver results, the team will rally around him and embrace him warmly.” – he explained.

“Then Lewis has to do his part as well. He absolutely has to do his part, accepting the team’s culture and not staying on the sidelines. If he manages that, they’ll love him. He’ll be walking a fine line. He’s a seven-time world champion coming into your team, who has chosen your team over the one he’s been with his whole life, suddenly leaving all that and its legacy behind to choose you. That gives you a huge boost of confidence. And if everyone works that extra 1% harder or smarter, then great things can happen.” – the former Ferrari race engineer concluded.

Source: f1ingenerale