During his rookie season, Kimi Antonelli’s playful interaction with Mercedes race engineer Peter Bonnington, known as Bono, has captured widespread attention following a funny clip shared on Mercedes’ Formula 1 platform. The moment shows the young Italian driver amusingly trying to get Bono’s attention while the engineer is distracted by music during a Grand Prix weekend.
Bono, who has served as a key technical figure alongside legends like Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, is now mentoring Antonelli in his first year with Mercedes. The duo have worked together through 14 Grand Prix events so far in the 2024 season.
Antonelli has already made a strong impression, accumulating 64 points, including standout performances such as securing pole position for the sprint race in Miami and earning his first podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix.
The Lighthearted Moment Between Antonelli and Bono During a Race Weekend
While their focus is predominantly on race results, moments away from the track reveal a lighter side to their partnership. A notable instance was captured when Antonelli filmed Bono in the debrief room as he attempted to find out what music Bono was listening to. Unaware due to his earphones, Bono initially didn’t notice Antonelli’s presence despite repeated attempts to get his attention.
Eventually, Bono responded to the young driver’s question about his playlist by saying:
“Listening to bicep today… Is that alright?”
—Peter Bonnington, Race Engineer
Bono’s long-standing history with the team, dating back to when it operated as Honda, contributes to the respect and camaraderie shared between them.
Kimi Antonelli Values Bono’s Extensive Experience in Formula 1
Peter Bonnington entered Formula 1 as a race engineer in 2004, years before Antonelli was born, and has since established himself as one of the most accomplished engineers on the grid. His work alongside two of the sport’s greatest champions, Schumacher and Hamilton, adds immense value to Antonelli’s learning curve.
Reflecting on his relationship with Bono during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Antonelli expressed how fortunate he feels to benefit from Bono’s guidance:
“I think having someone like Bono, it’s amazing. It’s a very big privilege because he has worked with two of the best drivers in the history of Formula 1. He worked with Michael [Schumacher] and then he worked with Lewis [Hamilton] for many years.
“So having someone with so much knowledge and experience really helps you because obviously I have so many new scenarios that I would have to go through, so many new scenarios that I will have to face, so many new things that I will have to learn. And having someone like him that has so much experience deifinitely, its really helpful because it can really guide you in every situation and… So I feel realy lucky to have someone like him.”
—Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes F1 Driver
Antonelli’s Ambitions as He Pursues Rookie Season Records
With 10 rounds remaining in the 2024 season, Kimi Antonelli is focused on surpassing the rookie points record currently held by his predecessor at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton set the benchmark in his debut campaign with McLaren by scoring 109 points, a target that fuels Antonelli’s determination to continue pushing his limits.
The ongoing collaboration between Antonelli and Bono combines youthful talent with seasoned expertise, underscoring Mercedes‘ commitment to nurturing their emerging star while maintaining high team standards.
