Prost: Mercedes F1 rivals Hamilton and Rosberg will fall out

With the two drivers set to dominate the 2014 F1 battle, there has already been evidence of a ramping up of the rivalry between them.

And with their partnership set to continue in F1, amid suggestions that Rosberg has officially extended his deal with the team until at least the end of 2015, Prost believes that only a small issue between the two drivers will be enough for tensions to boil over.

When asked ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix if Mercedes will find it hard to avoid the kind of troubles that he experienced alongside Ayrton Senna at McLaren when they dominated, Prost said: "It is difficult.

"In 1988, with Ayrton, we had quite a good relationship so it was not a problem. And that is possible, but it depends how it works.

"If you have only a small detail, a little problem, especially inside the team or a little bit outside, then it could start very, very quickly.

"It is very rare that you have a full friendship until the end, especially if you are really fighting very hard."

Prost said the breakdown in his relationship with Senna was only triggered when he believed the Brazilian had broken a deal they had made about the opening lap of the 1989 San Marino Grand Prix.

"It only started when we had the agreement in Imola, and the agreement fell away," explained Prost. "It started from this point.

"It could be a small detail [that triggers it] - so it could happen this year.

"But the situation is different because it is Mercedes, and it is also 20 years later.

"They are very aware of it."