Formula 1 championship leader Lewis Hamilton is confident he can maintain a healthy relationship with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg despite the pair fighting for the world title.

“When you’re so competitive it is impossible to be best friends – but then it stays respectful,” Hamilton told the Formula One homepage ahead of Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix.

After winning the past four races, Hamilton leads the world championship standings but Rosberg is a mere three points behind.

The 29-year-old Hamilton, world champion in 2008, has known his German colleague for several years, dating back to their time as youth drivers.

“We will always have the years in karting, that kind of foundation of a long time ago,” Hamilton said to explain the start of their relationship.

But while the pair can work together to an extent for Mercedes, Formula One requires a selfish streak.

“I want to be the hungriest guy in the cockpit from all 22 of us – even if every driver has to believe that he’s the hungriest – because if I were to come here believing that Nico is hungrier than me then I might as well go home,” said Hamilton.

“So I’ve got to be the hungriest – to win the world championship you need to be the hungriest.”