Mercedes AMG Petronas
Lewis Hamilton says he is sure his relationship with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg will be fine, even if the duo compete for the world title this year.
Hamilton and Rosberg have been friends since their karting days and the Brit does not believe that competing for the Formula 1 title will affect their relationship.
"I mean when everyone’s talking about the relationship between us, it will be the same at the start as it will be at the end," said Hamilton.
"We’ve been racing together since we were 13, we’ve been in championships competing right to the end, one where he’s won, one where I’ve won and it’s been the same since... It’s a more fierce championship and a lot more is riding on it but at the end, I don’t see any issues."
Hamilton also reckons that Mercedes's W04 felt nicer to drive than their current W05 but admits that's natural.
"I probably speak for all of us that last year’s car felt better, it was perhaps a little bit nicer to drive, when we had lots more downforce," he said.
"But that was a car that was in the fourth year of its evolution. Now we’re in a new phase and it’s just something that just takes some time to get used to. The sound, for example, is not as impressive as what we had in the past but once you get all the cars on the track, on the grid, I’m pretty sure it will be impressive for the fans still."
