Hamilton continues to give Rosberg a cold shoulder

Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Mercedes F1

Lewis Hamilton says he won't 'invest any energy' to rekindle a friendly relationship with former team mate and rival Nico Rosberg.

As kids racing towards a dream, Hamilton and Rosberg grew up together on the competitive karting trail and through the junior ranks.

But three years of bitter battles for the world championship at Mercedes between 2014 and 2016 took their toll on the drivers' friendship, and left the two fierce competitors at odds with each other.

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"They were so bad that they didn't even say hello in the morning," remembers Mercedes team chairman and F1 legend Niki Lauda said.

After Rosberg finally defeated Hamilton in last year's world championship, the German suddenly called it a day on his career in Formula 1.

"We were very good friends in the past, but it can happen again in the future," Rosberg said recently.

"We're not rivals anymore, I'm completely out of it, so I don't see why we could not get along well after some time," he added.

However, when pondering a rekindling of their friendship, the German admitted that he and Hamilton are currently "not at that point yet".

As for Hamilton, the four-time world champion has no interest, at least for now, in renewing a freindship with his former foe.

"I last talked to Nico in Japan, but I do not invest any energy in changing our relationship," Hamilton told Germany's Stuttgarter Zeitung.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.