Tim Kraaij is Editor-in-Chief of GPblog.com and a Formula 1 analyst. With permanent FIA accreditation and direct access to the paddock, he delivers in-depth, data-driven analysis and insight into key developments within the sport.
Peter Bonnington will in all likelihood not be able to follow Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari. Hamilton is said to be contractually prohibited from approaching his current colleagues at Mercedes.
Hamilton will make the switch to Ferrari in 2025. The Briton will embark on a new adventure there to return to the top with the Italian team. When Michael Schumacher moved from Benetton to Ferrari, he took a number of key engineers with him. Mercedes, however, have prevented that in Hamilton's contract.
Why Hamilton cannot take Mercedes colleagues with him
According to the usually reliable Motorsport.com, Mercedes had a clause inserted in Hamilton's latest contract. That clause prohibits Hamilton from asking other employees to also switch to Ferrari if he leaves for another team. Hamilton can't, with this clause, ask Bonnington to go with him.
Still, it cannot be ruled out that Mercedes employees might make the switch to Ferrari on their own accord or be approached by Ferrari for a switch. Hamilton himself would not be allowed to make contact, but Ferrari cannot be prohibited from taking staff from Mercedes. They did the same before Hamilton's arrival by recruiting Loic Serra, Mercedes' former Performance Director.
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