Button credits Bonnington's calm as Antonelli seals British GP pole with five wins already

Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Saturday, extending a dominant run that has seen the 19-year-old Mercedes driver win five consecutive races in China, Japan, Miami, Canada and Monaco in only his second Formula 1 season.

Former world champion Jenson Button identified race engineer Peter Bonnington — widely known in the paddock as Bono — as a crucial stabilising presence behind Antonelli’s rapid rise. Bonnington previously worked alongside Michael Schumacher and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton during their respective Mercedes tenures.

“With the management of Toto and Bono, his engineer, it’s helped him grow in the sport,” Button said after qualifying. “Bono is a very calming character. Kimi, at times this year, has got very excited on the radio during a race, but Bono is the calming voice that brings him back down to earth.”

Antonelli’s Silverstone weekend had already produced a sprint race victory, where he overtook Hamilton from the lead. Button said the teenager’s composure continues to stand out. “That was amazing, really impressive. It feels like nothing fazes him. That’s what I don’t understand.”

Former F1 driver and analyst Martin Brundle echoed that assessment, noting how settled Antonelli appears within the Mercedes structure. “Antonelli’s looking ever more comfortable as championship leader,” Brundle said. “Mercedes is like a second family to him and that matters a lot — when you feel really valued in your team. I had both experiences of that and it dramatically affected my performance.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will line up alongside Antonelli on the front row for Sunday’s grand prix, with Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate George Russell completing the second row. The British Grand Prix takes place at Silverstone on Sunday 5 July.