P1racenews AI automatic summary:
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.
Last week, Hamilton shocked the world of Formula 1 by announcing that he will leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season to join Ferrari on a multi-year contract starting in 2025. There has been speculation about whether his long-time race engineer, Peter Bonnington, will also make the move to Italy. While it is common for drivers to bring their engineers with them when changing teams, Hamilton’s current contract includes a ‘non-poaching’ clause that prevents him from soliciting any team member, including Bonnington, to join him at Ferrari. Bonnington has been an integral part of Hamilton’s success, guiding him to the majority of his wins and titles at Mercedes. Despite the uncertainty, discussions about Bonnington’s future are expected to take place in the coming months.
