Bono's Irish Eyes: Why He's Not In Austria

why is bono not in austria

Lewis Hamilton's long-time race engineer, Peter Bonnington, also known as 'Bono', was not present at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2022. Bonnington has been an integral member of the Mercedes team since 2010 and has worked closely with Hamilton since 2013, forming one of the strongest driver-engineer bonds in F1 and winning six world championships together. Despite this, Bonnington was notably absent from the race in Austria, with Hamilton instead communicating with his regular performance engineer, Marcus Dudley. While the exact reason for Bonnington's absence was not disclosed, it was not the first time he had missed a race weekend.

Characteristics Values
Name Peter Bonnington
Nickname Bono
Occupation Race Engineer
Team Mercedes F1
Driver Lewis Hamilton
Reason for Absence Not Disclosed
Location United Kingdom
Replacement Marcus Dudley
Communication Remained in Constant Communication with the Team

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Lewis Hamilton's long-time race engineer, Peter Bonnington, is not in Austria

Lewis Hamilton's long-time race engineer, Peter Bonnington, also known as 'Bono' within the team, was not present at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2022. Hamilton and Bonnington have worked together since 2013 when Hamilton joined Mercedes, and the pair have formed one of the strongest driver-engineer bonds in F1, winning six world championships together.

Bonnington was a noticeable absentee from the garage during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. Instead of being on-site at the Red Bull Ring, he carried out his usual role from the Mercedes base in Brackley, UK. Although the exact reason for his absence was not disclosed by Mercedes, Bonnington remained in constant communication with the team throughout the weekend.

Bonnington's absence in Austria was not the first time he had missed a race weekend. Three years prior, he was not present in Mexico City as he underwent a personal medical procedure in the UK. Despite his physical absence in Mexico, Hamilton dedicated his win to Bonnington, acknowledging his integral role as his race engineer.

Hamilton's regular performance engineer, Marcus Dudley, led the radio communications for Hamilton during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. Although Dudley and other engineers stepped up to fill Bonnington's role, his absence was noted by the team, particularly by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who acknowledged the importance of Bonnington's role and his long-standing partnership with Hamilton.

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Bonnington, known as 'Bono' within the team, is an integral part of the Mercedes team

Peter Bonnington, known as "Bono" within the team, is an integral part of the Mercedes team. He has been an integral member of the team since the German manufacturer returned to the sport in 2010. Bonnington has been Lewis Hamilton's race engineer since 2013 when Hamilton joined Mercedes. Together, they have formed one of the strongest driver-engineer bonds in F1, winning six world championships.

Bonnington is usually present at the tracks during race weekends. However, he was notably absent from the Austrian Grand Prix in 2022. Although the exact reason for his absence was not disclosed, it was not the first time he had missed a race weekend. Three years prior, Bonnington was not present in Mexico City as he underwent a personal medical procedure in the UK.

Despite his physical absence from the Austrian Grand Prix, Bonnington remained connected to the team via the intercom and was in constant communication with the team throughout the weekend. Hamilton shared that Bonnington had been with them "in spirit" and had done a "huge amount of work before the weekend" to ensure everyone was prepared.

Bonnington's usual role was carried out by Hamilton's regular performance engineer, Marcus Dudley, who led the radio communications for the race. Dudley was supported by Dom Riefstahl, Hamilton's number two engineer.

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Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team boss, stressed that Bonnington remains in constant communication with the team

Lewis Hamilton's long-time race engineer, Peter Bonnington, also known as 'Bono' within the team, was notably absent from the Austrian Grand Prix in 2022. Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team boss, stressed that despite Bonnington's physical absence, he remains in constant communication with the team.

Bonnington has been an integral member of the Mercedes team since 2010 and has worked closely with Hamilton since 2013, forming one of the strongest driver-engineer bonds in F1 and winning six world championships together. Wolff acknowledged the importance of Bonnington's role, stating, "It's always bad for us as a team because he's an integral part. For ten years, he's been standing to the right of me and I keep watching him." Wolff also confirmed that Bonnington was connected to the intercom and in constant communication with the team, with performance engineers Marcus Dudley and Tom taking the lead on-site.

Although the exact reason for Bonnington's absence from the Austrian Grand Prix was not disclosed by Mercedes, it was not the first time he had missed a race weekend. In 2019, Bonnington was absent from the race in Mexico City as he underwent a personal medical procedure in the UK.

Despite Bonnington's absence, Hamilton still had the support of his regular performance engineer, Marcus Dudley, who led the radio communications for the race. Hamilton also acknowledged Bonnington's ongoing support, stating, "Bono has been with us in spirit, obviously not here physically but he's been with us on the radio, in all our meetings, while he’s been at home recovering." Hamilton further emphasized the strength of their bond, expressing his love and dedication to Bonnington.

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Hamilton has worked with Bonnington since he joined Mercedes in 2013

Lewis Hamilton's long-time race engineer Peter Bonnington, also known as 'Bono', was absent from the Austrian Grand Prix in 2022. Hamilton and Bonnington have worked together since 2013 when Hamilton joined Mercedes. Together, they have won six world championships and formed one of the strongest driver-engineer bonds in F1.

Bonnington has been an integral member of the Mercedes team since 2010 and is usually present at the tracks during race weekends. However, he did not travel to Austria and instead remained in England, carrying out his usual role from the Mercedes base in Brackley. While the exact reason for his absence was not disclosed, it was not the first time he had missed a race weekend. Three years prior, Bonnington was absent from the Mexican Grand Prix as he underwent a personal medical procedure in the UK.

Despite his physical absence in Austria, Bonnington remained in constant communication with the team. Hamilton shared his sentiments about Bonnington's absence, acknowledging the rarity of the situation and expressing his dedication to his long-time engineer. Hamilton's regular performance engineer, Marcus Dudley, led the radio communications for Hamilton during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.

In 2024, it was announced that Bonnington would be staying with Mercedes in an expanded role as the head of race engineering. He will dovetail this new role with his existing race engineering duties for Hamilton until the end of the 2024 season. Hamilton expressed his desire to continue working with Bonnington at Ferrari but acknowledged the challenges of such a transition for his long-time engineer.

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Bonnington is carrying out his usual role from Mercedes' base in Brackley, UK

Lewis Hamilton's long-time race engineer, Peter Bonnington, is not physically present at the Austrian Grand Prix. Affectionately known as 'Bono' within the team, Bonnington has been an integral member of the Mercedes team since 2010 and has worked with Hamilton since 2013.

Bonnington is notably absent from the garage in Austria, and instead, Hamilton's regular performance engineer, Marcus Dudley, will lead the radio communications for the rest of the weekend. While the exact reason for Bonnington's absence is unknown, he is carrying out his usual role from the Mercedes base in Brackley, UK.

Bonnington and Hamilton have formed one of the strongest driver-engineer bonds in F1, winning six world championships together. Despite his physical absence from the Austrian Grand Prix, Bonnington remains in constant communication with the team. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff emphasised that Bonnington is an integral part of the team, stating:

> "Bono is not here and that's always bad...It's always bad for us as a team because he's an integral part. Since 10 years, he's standing to the right of me and I keep watching him. But he's at home, he's connected to the intercom. We're speaking with him all the time and Marcus and Tom are going to do a great job."

Bonnington's absence in Austria is not the first time he has missed a race weekend. Three years prior, he was absent from the Mexico City race as he underwent a personal medical procedure in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

'Bono', the nickname of Peter Bonnington, Lewis Hamilton's long-time race engineer, was not in Austria for the Austrian Grand Prix. Mercedes did not disclose the reason for his absence, but Bonnington remained in constant communication with the team from the UK.

Peter Bonnington, or 'Bono', has been an integral member of the Mercedes F1 team since 2010 and has worked with Lewis Hamilton since 2013. Together, they have won six world championships.

Lewis Hamilton's regular performance engineer, Marcus Dudley, replaced 'Bono' in Austria and led the radio communications for the rest of the weekend.

Yes, 'Bono' has missed race weekends before. For example, three years prior to the Austrian Grand Prix, Bonnington was not present in Mexico City as he underwent a personal medical procedure in the UK.

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