Rosberg says 'extreme competition' makes it difficult to be friends with Hamilton

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg has admitted that fierce competition with his teammate and reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton is 'making it difficult' for the pair to be friends.

The pair have a long-standing rivalry dating back to their karting days with Rosberg leading Hamilton by just one point in the ongoing Formula One season.

Describing Hamilton as 'one of the sweetest opponents', Rosberg said that he gets the 'greatest satisfaction' from beating the British world champion.

While acknowledging that he has 'huge respect' for Hamilton, Rosberg said that they were not the best friends at the moment, pointing out the intense competition they share between them, the Guardian reported.

When asked if this was his best chance to win his maiden title, the German driver said that he didn't think in such lines while adding that it was a unique challenge to race with and against Hamilton at the same time.

Both drivers have been given final warning by the Mercedes chief executive that team orders could be imposed if they crash into one another again. Rosberg and Hamilton have already crashed twice this season.