Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer Peter Bonnington – Bono says even he was surprised how the Briton managed to masterfully win the Turkish Grand Prix.
Bonnington can be heard talking to Hamilton on the team radio during races, uttering phrases like “It’s Hammertime” and “Get in there, Lewis”. Having worked with the Briton since 2013, Bono admits he still gets amazed by Lewis’ performances.
“Nobody could not be surprised by that performance,” Bono told Sky Sports F1.
“We know he has it in him but when he delivers, you just think ‘Wow! I didn’t see that coming’. I mean, I am optimistic, but I didn’t see it happening just like that.
“Mid-race, when we were on the inter and settled into a pace, he was just fully under control. You can always tell on the radio when the voice goes into this nice, calm state you think ‘Right, this is in control. Let’s just keep chipping away’.”
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When things go wrong, Bono is the first person Hamilton complains to. When asked how important it is to let Lewis blow off steam on the radio, Bonnington explained how he tries to help him deal with an in-race “emotional rollercoaster”.
“Well, I think it is one of those things I completely understand and fully get where he is coming from.
“He is on this emotional rollercoaster in a race. The pressure is so high, so intense, the adrenaline is pumping and I can understand how you can be bouncing from massive disappointment to euphoria.
“What I like to try and do is maintain a level and allow him to experience that and try and dampen that down and make sure we are all on a level,” concluded Bono.
