Lewis Hamilton has suggested that he and Nico Rosberg will handle their rivalry better than ever in 2016.
Although once friends as boyhood karting teammates, the Mercedes duo have had a notably rocky relationship in the last two years as they fought at the front for the world championship.
An even more intense battle could be looming for 2016, as German Rosberg is riding a wave of pole and race-winning form.
"I think Nico will continue to be strong," predicted Hamilton in a pre-season interview with RTL.
"There are times when he is strong and others where I am stronger. But I don't see any change.
"As we arrive at the first race, I don't know - I'm looking forward to a close race. It will be a tough fight as it always is, but as we get older and more mature, I hope that we can deal with it better."
Hamilton and Rosberg finished 2015 with 381 and 322 points respectively.
