Relationship with Rosberg will always be tense - Hamilton

On the back of his championship winning year - the third of his career - Lewis Hamilton said that the relationship with team mate Nico Rosberg will always be tense, and will remain as such as long as the pair are teamed together.

Hamilton scored 10 wins this season to clinch the title against Rosberg's 6 triumphs, but the German utterly dominated the British driver in the closing stages of the championship, achieving three victories on the trot to conclude his 2015 season on a high.

Tension between the two drivers, while not overwhelming and undoubtedly better than last year, did appear perceptible at times, with a frustrated Rosberg having to contend with Hamilton's superiority for the better part of the year. The latter believes 2016 will just be more of the same for the pair in terms of their affinity, or perhaps lack of.

"It was much better than it was last year, although it was naturally still tense," Hamilton admitted.

"But that's just how relationships are when you're competing with someone. It is what it is, and it's not like we're best friends or anything.

"Next year, we'll be another year older and we'll have the experience from this year but for sure we'll have just as many problems, or hopefully less, but it will continue for as long as we drive together."

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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.

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