Nico Rosberg insists he is not worried about playing second fiddle to Lewis Hamilton. The pair, who have known each other and even raced as teammates since their boyhood karting days, will each be driving one of Mercedes' F1 cars in 2013.
German Rosberg has managed to dominate Michael Schumacher since the seven time world champion's 2010 comeback, but the 27-year-old might be forgiven for feeling more nervous about the similarly-aged Hamilton's arrival.
But when asked if he is worried he will be Hamilton's 'number 2', Rosberg insisted: "Absolutely not. I know the situation. Although Lewis will be a challenge and I gladly accept it. He is one of the best drivers of the moment, but I do believe that I can measure up," the 2012 shanghai winner told German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.
Since the Hamilton announcement, Mercedes chiefs Ross Brawn and Norbert Haug have insisted that the high-profile 2008 world champion will not be Mercedes' 'number 1'. "Yes, that's good. And it's in my contract that I always have the same opportunities as my teammate, no matter who it is," Rosberg answered.
But at McLaren in 2007, Hamilton clashed spectacularly with his short-term teammate Fernando Alonso. Is Rosberg worried that might happen again, this time at Mercedes? "I think we're both smart enough to avoid that," he smiled.
Finally, Rosberg said he does not 'feel sorry' for Michael Schumacher, who has been pushed out. "No," the German laughed. "He was not sure whether he wanted to continue or not, but Mercedes had to make a choice -- and anyway Michael has said himself that he is not unhappy." (GMM)
Rosberg says contract ensures equal status with Hamilton
- Published on 01 Oct 2012 11:30
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
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Driver profile
- Team Aston Martin
- Points 628
- Podiums 9
- Grand Prix 195
- Country Spain
- Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (44)
- Place of b. Oviedo, Spain
- Weight 68 kg
- Length 1.71 m
- 187,374 comments on Aston Martin
78 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Fernando Alonso
Team profile
- Team name McLaren
- Base Woking, United Kingdom
- Jenson Button 1
- Lewis Hamilton 1
- Fernando Alonso 1
- Niki Lauda 1
- Stoffel Vandoorne 2
- Lewis Hamilton 2
- Lewis Hamilton 2
- Gerhard Berger 2
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Jenson Button 3
- Lewis Hamilton 3
- Kimi Räikkönen 3
- Mika Häkkinen 3
- Lando Norris 4
- Lewis Hamilton 4
- Jenson Button 4
- Kimi Räikkönen 4
- Jenson Button 5
- Sergio Perez 6
- Kimi Räikkönen 6
- Kimi Räikkönen 6
- Niki Lauda 8
- Alain Prost 8
- Kimi Räikkönen 9
- Fernando Alonso 14
- Kevin Magnussen 20
- Jenson Button 22
- Lewis Hamilton 22
- Gerhard Berger 28
- Stoffel Vandoorne 47
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- Oscar Piastri 81
- 304,500 comments on McLaren
- 162 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about McLaren
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