Juan Pablo Montoya credits veteran race engineer Peter 'Bono' Bonnington as a major factor in Kimi Antonelli's impressive form at Mercedes. Antonelli, initially under heavy scrutiny following an FP1 crash at Monza, has rapidly found his stride, becoming the youngest driver ever to lead the F1 championship standings. He now holds a 20-point advantage over teammate George Russell, with his Miami Grand Prix win lauded as "stupendous" by Damon Hill.
Montoya emphasized Bono's immense experience, gained from extensive success with Lewis Hamilton, stating Bonnington is now "moulding Kimi." He highlighted Antonelli's aggressive driving style and determination, especially in qualifying, where he maximizes the entire track. Montoya suggested Russell, despite having data, needs to emulate Antonelli's commitment to pushing track limits. Bonnington's invaluable mentorship, honed through championships with both Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, could be pivotal for Antonelli's title aspirations.
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