Hamilton details crucial criteria for Ferrari race engineer

Lewis Hamilton has explained what he expects from his new race engineer ahead of his switch to Ferrari next season.

Earlier this week Mercedes confirmed Peter Bonnington had been promoted to head of race engineering, ending speculation he will join Ferrari with Hamilton.

Bonnington, also known as 'Bono', has been Hamilton's race engineer at Mercedes since the Briton joined the team in 2013.

However, Hamilton will have to build a new relationship with a new colleague at Ferrari as he starts a new career challenge.

When asked about the prospect of working with a new race engineer at Ferrari, Hamilton stated to media including RacingNews365: “I mean, it's got to be someone you get on with. 

“It's got to be someone that you ultimately are able to find it easy to build a relationship with and trust.

“The next one [engineer] is going to be a discovery process. I'll know early on whether or not it's going to work or not but I think it’s just about communicating.”

Hamilton reveals Mercedes 'pain' after Russell DSQ

Hamilton enters the Dutch Grand Prix weekend as the most recent race winner, inheriting the victory from Belgium after team-mate George Russell was disqualified.

It marked his second win in the last three events - however the seven-time world champion admitted to a different feeling when it came to being gifted the win.

“We felt so happy that we had a one-two, it was the first time in a long, long time - to be affected by something like that, we all feel the pain,” he said.

“It’s from decisions and processes that we've gone through and we've missed.

“It affects all of us when one car doesn't finish. We lost so we lost valuable points when we're trying to catch up to Ferrari.

“It’s not ideal, but George took it very well. I went away on my holiday, I didn’t feel like I won a race.”