Mercedes Nico Rosberg wins controversial Monaco Grand Prix from team mate Lewis Hamilton, who says they are not friends

Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with Nico Rosberg appeared to hit rock bottom on Sunday after the British driver denied being friends with his team-mate.

A seething Hamilton was speaking after Rosberg regained the lead of the World Championship following his lights-to-flag victory in Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix.

Hamilton and Rosberg have both insisted their friendship, which goes back to their childhood as team-mates in karting, would survive the fierce test of a championship battle.

But speaking after today’s race, Hamilton, who fought off a late challenge from Daniel Ricciardo to finish second and thus securing a fifth consecutive one-two finish for Mercedes, said: ‘We are not friends. We are colleagues.’

Hamilton was furious after Rosberg’s mistake during qualifying forced him to abandon his final attempt to snatch pole from his team-mate. 

Before the race, Mercedes chief Niki Lauda admitted Hamilton was unhappy in the team's morning briefing, and the Briton's mood rapidly deteriorated on Sunday after he felt he should have pitted one lap earlier than Rosberg before battling the closing stages of the race with dirt in his eye.

If the Mercedes bosses are unable to control both of their drivers, they would end up on the losing side. Great drivers but different personalities’. Go Lewis, go Lewis, go Lewis!