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Mercedes trusts driver rivalry won't boil over

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have been closely matched so far this year © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Ross Brawn
• |
• Lewis Hamilton
• |
• Nico Rosberg

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Mercedes is prepared for a disagreement between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton at some point this season, but is confident it won't derail the team's progress.

The Mercedes team-mates are good friends away from the circuit and so far this season have been closely matched in qualifying and races. One flashpoint came in Malaysia when Rosberg was ordered to remain behind Hamilton by the pit wall, but the incident does not appear to have affected the relationship between the drivers.

However, team principal Ross Brawn said it is inevitable the two will have disagreements at some point this season, but he is confident it won't distract the team.

"Our drivers get on well, they have raced together before, they have got some nice history together, but we all know there will be events and incidents where they get angry with each other," he said. "But that's natural, they are competitors and it's important that we recover from those very quickly so it doesn't become damaging. But they will have their moments for sure."

Brawn said so far the relationship between his drivers has helped push the team forward.

"I think with any driver you need the pace and speed, because without that you are not going to succeed - the first thing any top F1 driver needs is the pace. Then you need an intelligent approach and if you both drivers working in harmony to improve the car and the way the team works, then you've got an ideal situation.

"Our drivers work very well together as team-mates, they want to beat each other and they are very quick and that's combination that we are enjoying at the moment."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.