World champion Lewis Hamilton will not change his racing approach despite Mercedes issuing him and team-mate Nico Rosberg with their final warning ahead of the British Grand Prix.

After a crisis meeting, chaired by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and technical director Paddy Low, at the team’s headquarters in Brackley, Hamilton and Rosberg were told they could race each other for the remainder of the season despite their last-lap crash in Austria.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Mercedes, who were considering team orders, said that their so-called ‘Rules of Engagement’ – a code of racing conduct which both drivers must adhere to – had been revised and strengthened to act as a deterrent to both Rosberg and Hamilton.

The drivers could be fined – or worse – suspended for another collision. Indeed Wolff hinted that he was prepared to drop either of the championship rivals if they clashed again.

But a defiant Hamilton, a winner here for the past two seasons, said: “We’re still able to race.”

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