Lewis Hamilton has been told by former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley not to bring many members of his Mercedes entourage to Maranello for the upcoming season. When he switches this winter, the seven-time world champion will be without a number of important allies.
Longtime race engineer Peter “Bono” Bonnington will not be moving from Mercedes to Ferrari, despite interest from Hamilton’s side. Even though notable players like Loic Serra and Jerome d’Ambrosio will be there, the Silver Arrows have not experienced the mass exodus that many had anticipated.
Smedley clarified, saying in an interview with the Formula For Success podcast, “When a seven-time world champion choose your team to come and work at your team. I don’t believe he needs to travel in an entourage.
And I constantly discussed this in public, speaking for both Lewis and individuals like Bono [Peter Bonnington]. I believe that following the driver around is a rather risky game to play since, should the driver decide after a year that this is not the right for him, the entourage cannot go with him.
Therefore, I believe Lewis made the proper decision. Obviously, Team LH, his management, trainers, and other individuals would be encircling him. However, I believe it would have been a mistake to try to take engineers.
Therefore, I believe the team will accept him. The team will avoid you if you arrive there with a reputation for being able to deliver, like Lewis does.
Hamilton can rely on a solid rapport with team principal Fred Vasseur, even though he won’t see many familiar faces in the garage at Maranello. The two collaborated at ART Grand Prix throughout the British player’s outstanding youth career, and they will now be back together on the biggest platform.
