German Car Zone

After months of speculation, Mercedes confirmed Monday that Nico Rosberg will race for the team next season.

“I am really happy to be a part of the Silver Arrows re-launch in 2010 as a driver for Mercedes," said Rosberg. "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,” he continued. “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.”

Rosberg made his debut for Williams in 2006 off the back of his GP2 championship success and dominated his various team-mates in his four-year stint with the team. While the German racer only secured two podium positions from his 70 starts, his strong 2009 season put him in pole position for the Mercedes drive following the buyout of the Brawn team.

“We are delighted to welcome Nico Rosberg to our Mercedes team and are very much looking forward to working with him," said team principal Ross Brawn.

"Nico is a great talent, and with four years of experience in Formula One, 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 and we look forward to seeing his development continue with us at Mercedes next year.”

Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice President Norbert Haug added: "Nico has positive ambitions, we have positive ambitions and together we want to achieve a great deal. I am really looking forward to working with him.”

Mercedes has not revealed the length of Rosberg’s contract with the team and has yet to confirm the identity of Rosberg’s team-mate for 2010, although fellow German Nick Heidfeld remains an option.

//Earl ALEXANDER
© CAPSIS International

Congrats to him. But I'm doubtful whether Brawn will be a strong team next year. The only reason they were superior this year is because they had worked on the car for 18 months with a backbone of big Honda money. Maybe Button did the right thing by jumping ship.

And they started flat out on 2010 car just right after Turkey, after that they only used one week (just before the summer break) to work on the 2010 car and bear in mind that they will incorporate the engine infinetely better this time.

Really. Did they end the 2009 programme that early?

Great i like Nico..

Yep sir and it's Brawn himself who said it, he knew after winning 6 races that both titles were in their pocket unless Button would do a major f up, he nearly did it but RBR also f up on number of crucial occasions and didn't profit from it.

Well let's wait and see if you'll type those exact words in 12 after he's had a taste of life in the top league. Ego is bound to develop as he realises his potential.

Jenson Button now has citizenship in ego land. The only reason he chose Mclaren over Mercedes is to challenge his arch nemesis, Hamilton, in his very own home. Although Button won this year, his stardom is only a 5th of Hamilton. When Lewis won last year, his face was on every single front cover. For Button the fame hasn't been the same as LH is still perceived as THE Formula 1 driver of the united Kingdom.

The only way for Button to get the recognition he dreams of is by scoring more points than Hamilton in an equal car. So now the pressure is on Lewis. Now he'll get to feel how it is to be hunted.

As for Nico, I expect him to perform well although I'm unsure whether he's better than Vettel.

Vettel is better, without a shadow of doubt.

That very much the case based on what we've seen in the recent two seasons. I'm counting on him to bag the Massa's vacant Ferrari seat for 2011. If Mercedes wants to fight over him, they'll sign Heidfeld or another midfield driver for just a year.