Nico Rosberg may only describe his relationship with Lewis Hamilton as "neutral", but that does not mean he is not happy to see his Mercedes team-mate sign a new deal.
The pair have gone from racing one another as children to become team-mates and Formula One titles contenders with the Silver Arrows.
Tensions have often become heated between the two as they strive for the world championship, but Rosberg is happy to see Hamilton sign a new deal keeping him at Mercedes until the end of the 2018 season.
"I congratulated Lewis," Rosberg said. "I am sure it was a very exciting moment to sign the contract, as it always is.
"It is great, we have a great battle. That is what racing is about, battles like that.
"At the moment, it is a neutral relationship so it is working okay between us and we're really pushing each other.
"That mustn't be underestimated, how we are pushing each other to higher and higher levels all the time.
"Also it is great for the team, I think, this internal battle, so it is good to know now that the future is going to be like that."
Asked to expand on his "neutral relationship" with Hamilton, he said: "Well, it changes.
"It is, of course, a complicated battle because we have to think about the team at the same time as we think about beating each other.
"It is always going to be complicated as both of us want to win, so there's ups and downs and there is always going to be another down. At the moment, it is okay. That's it."
Rosberg is looking to frustrate Hamilton this weekend, having got the better of his team-mate last time out in Spain.
Now he wants to narrow the 20-point gap even further on a course he knows better than most, having grown up in Monaco.
Rosberg's school overlooked the paddocks and his daily drive there went through the famous tunnel, but it is clawing back Hamilton which is his main goal as he chases a third successive win here.
"Of course there is the chance of getting a third win, but it is not something I'm focusing on at all," he said. "It is just a little extra.
"I am just focusing on the fact this is my home race, I really love this track and it is important for the championship to make sure Lewis doesn't extend that points advantage that he has.
"I closed it down in Barcelona and I need to try and continue that.
"It is such a historic race, you know? It's always worth a lot to win it here for me personally having grown up here. It's very special."
Source: PA
