Peter Bonnington cherishes Antonelli’s first F1 podium in Shanghai

Kimi Antonelli’s maiden Formula 1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix delivered more than just silverware for Mercedes — it created a podium scene that struck a personal chord with race engineer Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington.

Accepting the constructors’ trophy, Bonnington reflected on the moment with emotion.

"It's pretty good. I can't complain," he told Sky Sports F1. "Having Lewis there with Kimi, it was a hell of a moment. It's one that I'll cherish. Felt like it was getting the band back together, but not the band, I don't know what the analogy is there. But it was really, really nice, really touching, Lewis is a great sportsman, as ever."

For Bonnington, who has shared defining chapters with both Hamilton and now Antonelli, the celebration symbolised a convergence of past and present within the Mercedes story.

Chalk and cheese: Antonelli vs Hamilton

Bonnington was candid in outlining the contrast between working with the highly experienced Hamilton and guiding a young driver at the beginning of his journey.

"It's chalk and cheese with Lewis. I knew what he was thinking, I knew that he didn't need to be told, whereas when I started with Kimi, it was a case of, I don't know what he doesn't know."

The shift required Bonnington to revisit processes he once took for granted.

"So I'm having to re-remember loads of stuff that I took for granted, and so that was a good sort of process for myself."

Antonelli, he explained, brings a distinctly different energy to the team.

"Kimi just brings a completely different vibe. He's obviously still so young, but full of energy, really likes to bring the garage together. He's always there with the pranks, but equally, he knows when to knuckle down and work hard. With Kimi, he's putting a lot of faith in me and a lot of trust in me because I've got the experience, he's got the youth."

The relationship is built on complementary strengths — experience guiding youth, structure shaping raw potential.

"We work differently, and I am sort of teaching him, taking him step-by-step through the process of how we become a champion, and he's just ticked off the first step, so we need to just keep chipping away."

Antonelli’s breakthrough victory, in Bonnington’s view, is only the beginning.

The extra tenth

Having worked with both Hamilton and seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, Bonnington is well placed to assess elite talent. He believes Antonelli possesses the same elusive quality that separates great drivers from champions.

"I read a book about the 10,000-hour rule many, many years ago. And I started to really strongly believe it, thinking, oh, if we all had enough practice, we'd be good enough. And then I met the likes of Michael, I met the likes of Lewis, and then you realise, actually no, there is the extra step, that extra 10th or two, and that's what Kimi's got, he's got that extra 10th or two."

In a career shaped by championship-winning partnerships, Bonnington’s assessment carries weight. Antonelli may have taken his first step with victory in China, but within Mercedes there is already belief that the raw ingredients for something greater are in place.