Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes contract features a so-called ‘non-poaching’ clause that is set to prevent him from taking key personnel with him to Ferrari.
Hamilton stunned the F1 world last week with the news that he was going to leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season for a multi-year Ferrari contract to partner Charles Leclerc from 2025.
The news led to speculation that Hamilton’s long-time race engineer Peter Bonnington could follow the seven-time World Champion to Italy, with Team Principal Toto Wolff responding to a question from RacingNews365 indicating that the topic would be “a discussion which everyone needs to have in the months to come.”
Drivers taking engineers and other senior technical personnel with them when they change teams is not uncommon, with Michael Schumacher famously taking key Benetton engineers Ross Brawn and Rory Bryne with him to Ferrari in 1996.
However, in the two-year contract Hamilton signed last summer, a so-called ‘non-poaching’ clause was added to prevent the departure of engineers, a team spokesperson has confirmed to RacingNews365.
Officially termed as a ‘non-solicitation’ clause, Hamilton cannot solicit any team member, including Bonnington, to go with him to Ferrari.
The two have worked together since Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013, with Bonnington guiding Hamilton to 81 of his 82 Grand Prix wins with the team and all six of his titles.
His voice has become one of the most recognisable of all race engineers owing to his calls of ‘It’s Hammertime’ and ‘Get in there, Lewis!’, with the only race win at Mercedes Bonnington has missed being the 2019 Mexican Grand Prix, while he also missed the 2022 Austrian GP, where Hamilton finished third.
News
Being Tiger Woods‘ son bestowed Charlie Woods with popularity. But the privilege had demerits of its own.
Is ‘Being Tiger Woods’ Son’ Tough For ‘Charlie Woods The Golfer’? Dec 18, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Tiger Woods (top) and son Charlie Woods watch a putt…
The PGA Tour needs a new commissioner and Tiger Woods is a strong candidate for that seat
Why Should Tiger Woods Take Up The PGA Tour Commissioner’s Role In The Future? (L) Jay Monahan (R) Tiger Woods, Credits: USA TODAY Sports As per the…
Tiger Woods’ TGR Lab at Cobbs Creek Golf Course is about to take it to the next level
Tiger Woods hires former West Philadelphia principal to run his TGR Lab at Cobbs Creek Golf Course Meredith Foote, a veteran educator who taught school in Philadelphia…
Tiger Woods still “ignores” Jon Rahm because he left the PGA Tour to come to LIV
Jon Rahm: Tiger Woods Hasn’t Responded to My Texts About Leaving PGA Tour for LIV Harry How/Getty Images Jon Rahm’s controversial decision to jump ship from the…
Carrie Underwood reveals how screen time impacted her children’s behaviour
Carrie Underwood details about the cons of technology for young children Carrie Underwood reveals how screen time impacted her children’s behaviour Carrie Underwood has recently revealed she…
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes says Marquez Valdes-Scantling suggested Super Bowl LVIII saving play
The Kansas City Chiefs’ fourth down conversion in overtime against the San Francisco 49ers was clutch and fueled the Super Bowl LVIII winning drive. Patrick Mahomes gained…
End of content
No more pages to load