Lewis Hamilton has warned Mercedes not to supply rivals Red Bull with engines if it ends its partnership with Renault.
Red Bull's future engine supply is uncertain with Renault set to take over Lotus and return to F1 as a constructor. Such a move would leave Red Bull seeking a new supplier in the near future, but Hamilton says there is no benefit to Mercedes doing a deal as it would just lead to a bigger threat to the works team.
"I think if we're serious about winning world championships, probably not," Hamilton told Sky Sports when asked if Mercedes should supply Red Bull. "What can I say? Red Bull is a great team. It would be like giving Ferrari our engine - we're here to win.
"We don't really need it, there's no financial benefit in it really. I think we're good where we are."
Daniel Ricciardo believes Red Bull can target joining Ferrari as Mercedes' closest challengers from the Russian Grand Prix onwards, once it receives a major power unit upgrade from Renault. The French manufacturer is set to spend all 12 of its development tokens on a new power unit next month.
Click here for Chris Medland's Italian Grand Prix preview and bold podium prediction.
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