Lewis Hamilton Rejects ‘Tempo di Martello’ as a Re….read more
Formula 1 fans will no longer hear the legendary phrase “Hammer Time” over the team radio now that Lewis Hamilton has left Mercedes. However, the seven-time World Champion has ruled out replacing it with the Italian translation, “tempo di martello,” as he prepares for a new chapter with Ferrari.
The End of an Era: No More ‘Hammer Time’ at Mercedes
For over a decade, Hamilton’s race engineer, Peter Bonnington—known as “Bono”—delivered the iconic “Hammer Time” message during crucial moments of a Grand Prix. It signaled Hamilton to push his Mercedes to the limit, often leading to spectacular lap times and decisive overtakes.
However, Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season also meant saying goodbye to this long-standing radio call. The final time Bono issued the command came during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton’s last race with the Silver Arrows.
Reflecting on the moment, Hamilton acknowledged that hearing “Hammer Time” for the last time was a bittersweet experience.
“I noticed that today,” he said to the media, including PlanetF1.com, after the race. “When he told me, I was like, ‘I can’t even remember the last time he told me Hammer Time.’”
How ‘Hammer Time’ Became an F1 Icon
The phrase became synonymous with Hamilton’s dominance in F1, often marking the turning point of a race where he would unleash his full pace. It originated in his first season working with Bonnington, when Hamilton requested a unique way for his engineer to tell him to push.
“I remember I told Bono to say ‘Hammer Time’ back in the first year together. I was like, ‘Don’t just tell me to go faster, tell me it’s Hammer Time, and I’ll know what it is,’” Hamilton explained.
Bonnington and Hamilton’s partnership was one of the most enduring in F1 history, spanning over a decade and yielding six World Championships together. Hamilton credited his engineer for unwavering support throughout his Mercedes career.
“What a rollercoaster ride I’ve had with Bono,” he reflected. “He’s been one of my closest friends for many years.
“It’s something I didn’t expect to have because he worked with Michael Schumacher—he’s worked with great drivers—and for the longest time, he’s stood by me.
“For an engineer to stick by someone, as frustrating and painful as it can sometimes be, he’s stood by me every single day without fail.”
No ‘Tempo di Martello’ for Ferrari
Now that Hamilton is moving to Ferrari in 2025, some fans have speculated whether a new version of “Hammer Time” might emerge—perhaps in Italian. However, Hamilton has dismissed the idea of using the phrase “tempo di martello,” saying it simply wouldn’t feel right.
While he has embraced the challenge of joining Ferrari, Hamilton appears set to leave “Hammer Time” in the past as a part of his Mercedes legacy.
His arrival at Ferrari is already one of the biggest stories in the sport, with fans eager to see how he adapts to the team. However, one thing is certain—his new radio messages won’t include an Italian twist on his famous catchphrase.
As the F1 world prepares for a major shift with Hamilton in Ferrari red, the absence of “Hammer Time” on the radio will mark the end of one of the most memorable traditions in modern Formula 1.
