Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are 'almost like enemies', Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admits

• Pair have been involved in several controversial incidents this season
• Hamilton beat Rosberg at Italian Grand Prix after mistake from German
• Team boss Toto Wolff says the pair are 'almost like enemies'
• Says both drivers are determined to win at all costs 

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has described Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg as 'almost like...enemies' in their head-to-head battle for this year's Formula One world title.

With six races remaining, starting with Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, just 22 points separate the pair as they fight it out for the sport's most-prized trophy.

Reflecting on what has unfolded between them on-track this season, Wolff concedes there has been a noticeable deterioration in their roles as team-mates.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have been involved in many controversies this season

Most recently Nico Rosberg allowed his Mercedes team-mate to take first place at the Italian Grand Prix

Toto Wolff admits Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are 'almost like enemies'

Speaking to BBC Sport, Wolff said: 'It has changed from, let's say, an almost amicable relationship at the beginning of the season to a very intense moment, where it was almost like realising these two are enemies competing for the world title.

'It's also a learning process. These boys have been calibrated their whole life that their main priority is to win the drivers' championship in F1.

'And here they go - they are in the same car, competing against each other for that trophy, and one is going to win and one is going to fail.

'This is a new experience for them - a difficult experience maybe.'

Tensions mounted between the pair after an incident at the Belgian Grand Prix

Rosberg forced Hamilton to retire at the Belgian Grand Prix after clipping his back wheel

On occasion Rosberg has shown a ruthless side to his nature, such as in Monaco during qualifying, and again in Belgium where he opted not to take avoiding action, instead colliding with the Briton and puncturing a tyre.

Wolff added: 'There are 22 guys out there and all of them are ruthless. They know what they want and they will try to take it.

'Nico has always been like this. I don't know why anyone had the perception of him being Mr Nice Guy.'

As for Hamilton, who has again endured one of those rollercoaster campaigns that have become his trademark over the seasons, Wolff insists there is no need to change the 29-year-old.

Hamilton celebrates on the podium next to a disconsolate Rosberg at Monza

He has found his own way and developed extremely impressively and he doesn't need so much management,' said Wolff.

'We need to understand what kind of background and environment we need to provide so he functions best.

'And it makes no sense to try to change a personality and say: 'You know what, you need to have the Niki Lauda, or the Nico Rosberg, or the Fernando Alonso approach, and you don't need your dogs and you don't need your LA and you don't need your music.'

'That's not the case. Lewis needs all that. It is his personality and it makes him function well.