“That's the last time I'm gonna hear that”: Lewis Hamilton recalls Bono’s last ‘Hammertime’ radio text in Abu Dhabi GP
Lewis Hamilton heard the iconic phrase 'hammertime' for one last time from his race engineer Peter Bonnington on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024. Recalling the moment, the Briton said that it wasn't until Bono uttered those words that he realized it's the last time he's going to hear those two words on the radio.
Lewis Hamilton's historic 11-year partnership with Mercedes has come to an end. He hangs his helmet after winning six world championships and eight constructors championships with the Silver Arrows. Before he departs to Maranello to join Ferrari, Hamilton had a fitting farewell from Mercedes in his final race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
As he commenced his final lap of the race, Bonnington conveyed a final 'hammertime' message on the radio. Hammertime is an iconic phrase initially devised by Bono. The radio message was meant to indicate Hamilton to push his car to the maximum limit.
Hammertime went viral after Hamilton won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in 2021 from the back of the grid. Hence, to mark the end of their successful and historic partnership, Bono uttered the catchphrase for one last time.
Lewis Hamilton addressed the moment during his post-race interview. The British driver said that as soon as Bono said 'hammertime,' he realised that it was going to be the final time he would hear this phrase. He took a long pause to soak in the emotional moment. Before the race, Bono and Lewis had shared a warm hug and clicked pictures to celebrate the last dance.
“When he said it was hammertime, I did notice in the moment I was like ‘that's the last time I'm gonna hear that.' It really clicked for me in that moment," said Hamilton.
Peter Bonnington won't be moving with Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari in 2025, as he has been promoted to Head of Race Engineering at Mercedes. Meanwhile, the 39-year-old driver is likely to partner with Carlos Sainz's engineer, Riccardo Adami, in his much-awaited stint with Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton bids goodbye to Mercedes: Love you guys
As Hamilton crossed the checkered flag at the Yas Marina Circuit for one final time in a Mercedes suit, he exchanged a heartfelt radio message. He acknowledged the support from the entire team and expressed gratitude to those who never stopped believing in him.
"Thank you for all the courage, the determination and the passion, and for seeing me and supporting me. What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books. We did everything together, and I’m so, so grateful to everyone, both here and back at the factory. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I love you guys, I really, really do," said Hamilton.
Team Principal Toto Wolff reciprocated, saying that if Mercedes don't win in 2025, he would want to see Lewis Hamilton on the podium in a Ferrari suit. The personal bond between the two will prevail irrespective of being with different teams in the upcoming F1 season.
Hamilton came home P4 at the Abu Dhabi GP after starting from P18. He beat his teammate George Russell in the final few laps to gain his last points for Mercedes.