Lewis Hamilton admits he expects his relationship with Sebastian Vettel to worsen should Mercedes and Ferrari fight for the Formula 1 title again this season.
Last year saw the two most successful drivers of this generation go head-to-head for the first time and mostly, there was a respect between the pair but for a few flashpoints, most notably the wheel-banging incident in Baku.
With another tight battle anticipated in 2018, there is the potential for more controversy particularly should they remain close in the final stretch and the Briton accepts that could cause more tension.
“You would have to expect that it could be worse,” Hamilton was quoted in the Express. “Always expect the worst and hopefully it will be better.
“Hopefully, if I am performing at my best, then there will be issues because Ferrari will be upset about it.”
The four-time world champion insisted that he would not play "mind games" with his fellow four-time world champion despite questioning his mental strength at times last year.
"I just drive faster," he declared.
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- Hamilton names his anticipated main rivals for 2018 season
- Vettel not "worried" by rivals after car launches
This season there is the added ingredients of a Red Bull team desperate to return to championship success with two drivers equally hungry and maybe even Fernando Alonso putting himself back in the frame should McLaren really get it right with their new car.
