Mercedes revises rules of engagement after Abu Dhabi fallout

Hamilton backed up then teammate Nico Rosberg in an unsuccessful attempt to overhaul him in the title battle, ignoring instructions to up his pace to protect the race win for the team in the process.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said after the race that Hamilton's tactics had set a precent Mercedes would have to consider for the future.

Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas said earlier this month that he is anticipating 'strict rules' over how he should work with new teammate Hamilton.

When asked about whether the rules of engagement would change given the new line-up, Wolff said: "That is an internal paper that has grown over years with experience and when you look at Abu Dhabi, it proved to have blank spots.

"It's something we want to continue to do and develop for the benefit of the team and drivers and spectators.

"The basic concept will stay in place but we are maybe going to call it differently, trim it a little and add the bits that were missing but not make it a complex internal regulation. We'll have to see how the season gets started.

"It might be completely different in terms of the dynamics between the drivers, it might be different in terms of dynamics with the other teams."

Wolff said Hamilton had "closed a chapter" on last year's championship battle with Rosberg and is in a good place ahead of 2017.

"Lewis has been with the team four years and the longer you work with each other, the better you get to know each other," said Wolff, who was speaking at the launch of the Mercedes W08 at Silverstone.

"The way I have seen him in the last few week, he's in a great mood, in great spirits. He has closed the chapter of last year it seems to me and his work with the team has been exceptional.

"We seem to be in a good place there. Maybe that is because of the opportunity of having a new team-mate, some of the dynamics change - so my impression is positive."