Nico Rosberg replaces Jenson Button at Mercedes Grand Prix team
Date published : 23 Nov 2009 - 12:37:13
The German, 24, the son of former F1 world champion Keke Rosberg, came through the ranks alongside Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes-Benz McLaren team (MBM).
He subsequently went on to win the GP2 title in 2005 before joining Williams F1 for whom he competed in 70 Grands Prix, scoring a total of 75.5 points and achieving second place at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Related ArticlesMichael Schumacher meets with MercedesSilverstone deadline date revealedEddie Jordan backs Schumacher's F1 returnSchumacher in line for F1 return with MercedesButton will get McLaren equalityMercedes face major investment bill in BrawnThe move had been widely anticipated in the paddock, having first been mooted by The Daily Telegraph back in mid-September.
'I am really happy to be a part of the Silver Arrows relaunch in 2010 as a driver for Mercedes,' Rosberg said. 'No other brand in Formula One can look back on such a long and successful tradition in motor racing. I am very proud that I will now drive for the new Mercedes team and work with Ross Brawn.
'I am more motivated than ever and can hardly wait to start testing with the new Silver Arrow and for the first race of the new season at Bahrain on 14 March 2010.'
Ross Brawn, team principal of Mercedes Grand Prix, added: 'Nico is a great talent, and with four years of experience in Formula 1, is a driver who will be able to make a valuable contribution to our team right from the outset.
I had the pleasure of working with his father Keke during his Formula One career and it is great to see Nico following in his footsteps. 2009 was Nico's best season in Formula One to date [he finished seventh with 34.5 points] and we look forward to seeing his development continue with us at Mercedes next year.'
Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice-president, Norbert Haug, described Rosberg as a 'talented and sympathetic' driver.
Haug is due to host a telephone conference later on Monday, along with Mercedes Grand Prix chief executive Nick Fry, at which Rosberg will be unveiled.
Haug, whose company took a 75.1 per cent stake in Brawn GP last week before seeing Jenson Button depart for McLaren, will undoubtedly be asked about speculation linking the team with a sensational return for seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. A spokesman for the carmaker last week dismissed the talk as 'dreams'.
