McLaren boss says Hamilton or Rosberg can leave Merc due to tension between them

McLaren boss Ron Dennis has said that the tensions between Formula One title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg could result in one of them leaving Mercedes at the end of this season.

McLaren's chairman, who says his team is some way from finalising their own driver line-up, has experienced similar battles between teammates in the past. He said that no one could have predicted the tension within Mercedes Benz.

Dennis said that McLaren can imagine a range of scenarios that could see one of their drivers on the market by the end of the year, The BBC reported.

Hamilton and current championship leader Rosberg, who go into Sunday's Italian Grand Prix separated by 29 points, collided at the Belgian GP two weeks ago and have since been warned by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff that the team would have to consider changing their driver line-up if they are not able to manage the two of them following the Mercedes racing spirit.

Rosberg has recently extended his contract for a further two years, with an option for more, while Hamilton has another year on his to run and is keen to extend it.

Dennis said that if Hamilton or Rosberg were to become available that does not mean McLaren would automatically reach for that driver, or any other driver, in preference to what they already have.

Both Mercedes drivers are under contract for 2015. Hamilton's deal runs out at the end of next season, and Rosberg has extended his until at least the end of 2016, the report added.