Former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley has warned Mercedes about the possibility of the Brit taking his race engineer Pete Bonnington with him to Ferrari.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Priestley said: “As Lewis Hamilton moves to Ferrari later this year, [it’s] still undecided as to whether or not he will take his own engineer Pete Bonnington with him.

“That would be a blow for Mercedes. Not only is he Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer, but he’s also a key member of that Mercedes team in the wider engineering layout, the landscape there, he’s a key member who would be missed if he were to leave.

“But from a relationship perspective, it’s going to be much, much easier for Lewis Hamilton to transition to Ferrari if he’s got the familiar face, if he’s got the relationship that’s already been built over years with Bono.

“If he can take that with him, and they can keep that going, there’s a much greater chance of success straight out the blocks.”