Nico Rosberg: Lewis Hamilton relationship 'can change very quickly'

The Mercedes drivers were involved in several tense moments during the 2014 F1 title battle, which peaked with a collision between the two at the Belgian Grand Prix, for which the team reprimanded Rosberg.

Only 17 points separate the two drivers in this year's fight, but the atmosphere at Mercedes has seemed more relaxed this season than during the 2014 campaign.

When asked about the internal situation at Mercedes during a launch event for the team's technical partner Petronas in Hamburg, Rosberg said "everything is the same" in terms of the way the team is managed, but revealed relations have simply thawed between the two drivers.

"It's just more relaxed at the moment between the two of us, but it can change very quickly," he said, when asked by AUTOSPORT about the current dynamic in the team.

"[The tense flashpoints were] just between the two drivers, otherwise everything is the same.

"The atmosphere was great last year and it is again this year."

Rosberg said the fact Mercedes has drawn further away from the field recently, amid an early threat from Ferrari, is due in part to how well he, Hamilton and the rest of the team are working together.

"We've always had a certain amount of commitment towards the team - to help move us all forward, and that's still the same," he added.

"It's just great to see that when the team came under pressure from Ferrari we've done better than everybody else; we've moved away.

"It's fantastic the level that we're at - absolutely the best in every area.

"Even aerodynamics, we're the best team, where some years ago we were not.

"In every area we're the best."