Hamilton Watches as Bono Gets Revenge on Antonelli with Hot Sauce Prank
At the Bahrain test, Mercedes engineer Bono got revenge on Kimi Antonelli for a birthday water gun prank by spiking his drink with hot sauce, with Lewis Hamilton on hand to witness the hilarious team bonding moment.
During F1 testing in Bahrain, Mercedes race engineer Peter 'Bono' Bonnington turned the tables on driver Kimi Antonelli for a birthday water gun prank, spiking the rookie's water bottle with hot sauce as a bemused Lewis Hamilton looked on. The lighthearted moment highlighted the ongoing camaraderie within the team, even as Hamilton visits his former squad.
Why it matters:
Beyond the laughter, these interactions underscore the human relationships and team culture that are vital in the high-pressure world of Formula 1. For Antonelli, integrating into Mercedes involves bonding with key figures like Bono, whose partnership with Hamilton was one of the most successful in the sport's history. Hamilton's casual visit also points to the enduring connections formed during his dominant era with the team.
The details:
- The prank war began when Antonelli, celebrating Bono's birthday during the 2026 test, surprised his engineer with a water gun.
- Bono initially chased Antonelli with a fire extinguisher in a video posted by the team, but the driver escaped.
- Lewis Hamilton, visiting the Mercedes garage, became an unwitting participant, chatting with Antonelli about the water gun and briefly acting as a human shield.
- After a warm greeting between Hamilton and Bono, the engineer executed his planned revenge: he had secretly added hot sauce to Antonelli's personal water bottle.
- Antonelli took several sips before reacting with coughing and an expletive, complaining, "I hate spice. I can’t eat spice. My chest is burning."
- Bono delivered the final verdict on the prank exchange, telling the young Italian, "Live by the sword. Die by the sword."
What's next:
While the on-track focus remains on refining the 2026 car, these off-track moments are crucial for team cohesion. Antonelli will likely think twice before his next prank on Bono, but the episode shows a healthy, familiar dynamic developing between the promising rookie and the experienced engineer. For Hamilton, it was a nostalgic return to the team where he made history, suggesting the door to his Mercedes legacy remains warmly open.