5 feuds to match Mercedes ‘teammates’ Hamilton and Rosberg

Intense rivalries in sport are two a penny. Such feuds are a natural by-product of competition, but the presence of true needle between teammates is an altogether rarer beast.

Given its unique set up, Formula One dwarfs any other sport in this department and the latest one to dominate the landscape in a long line, is the ongoing tussle for chequered flags between Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes ‘teammate’ Nico Rosberg.

The Silver Arrows fought bumper to bumper for the world championship crown last season and tensions often spilled over into a war of words, with many frosty press conferences on race weekends.

After coming second in China to Hamilton last time out Rosberg was less than amused: “We are starting from scratch again. Lewis can drive as he wants – it’s up to him. It’s is completely irrelevant to me,” he said.

“I just have to try again to make a comeback and go on a run like I did last year. “I admit, when I sat next to him on the podium at the press conference, I was p*****d [off].”

Here are five others deemed teammates purely through name and not by nature:

Teddy Sheringham v Andy Cole – Manchester United

The United strikers may have been prolific as a partnership but they famously never spoke at Old Trafford after Cole took exception to the lack of a simple handshake while on England duty together.

“I would rather sit down and have a cuppa with Neil Ruddock, who broke my leg in two places in 1996, than with Teddy Sheringham, who I’ve pretty much detested for the past 15 years,” said Cole in 2010.

Shaquille O’Neill v Kobe Bryant – LA Lakers

This feud’s infamy has a whole Wikipedia entry devoted to it. The NBA megastars landed the Lakers three consecutive titles, but their egos barely fitted on the same basketball court let alone dressing room.

Alain Prost v Ayrton Senna – McLaren

The definitive F1 feud and arguably the most potent case of loggerheads belonged to this pair. The late 80s and early 90s were dominated by this beef, which blew out of control when Senna went back on pre-arranged race orders to pass Prost in the 1989 San Marino Grand Prix.

Andre Agassi v Pete Sampras – USA Davis Cup

Not as well documented as some of the others but these American goliaths of their sport have fought over more than just titles in their time. Always an intense battle on the court, this rivalry actually matured into retirement when Sampras refused to play his compatriot in a 2011 exhibition match.

John Terry v ……..Wayne Bridge – Chelsea

Good old JT, England outcast and Chelsea legend wrapped into one. Courted by controversy as well as silverware Terry reportedly had a four-month affair with Blues teammate Bridge’s girlfriend. This later led to the famous pre-match handshake swerve once Bridge had moved to Manchester City.

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