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Rosberg 'convinced' he'll be competitive against Hamilton

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton will be team-mates in 2013 © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
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• Nico Rosberg

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Nico Rosberg is convinced he will be competitive against Lewis Hamilton when the British driver joins him at Mercedes next year.

Hamilton has signed a three-year contract that will start in 2013, reuniting the two drivers who were team-mates in karting in 2000. Since then, Hamilton has won the world title and 20 grands prix compared to Rosberg's single victory in China earlier this year, but the current Mercedes driver is not worried about the challenge he will face next year.

"There's no concern, I'm pleased he's joining the team and it's a new challenge for me," he told ESPN. "And yes, he's one of the best out there so it's going to be very interesting going up against him. But again, I'm convinced that I'll do well and we'll see how he goes."

Rosberg is also hoping Hamilton's arrival will breathe a new lease of life into the team.

"I'm very confident, the team is really progressing well and we have a lot more employees who have joined the team this year and they're very clever people that are going to have an impact now - slowly but surely and especially for next year. I'm sure we are going to do even better and then also with Hamilton joining the team, that's going to be a good boost for everybody and I think it's a nice change and refreshing, which is good."

Over the past three seasons, Rosberg has beaten his seven-time world champion team-mate Michael Schumacher on points and he believes that has been important for his career.

"I've been pleased with how I've compared against him," he added. "I didn't really know what to expect in the beginning, but I knew I was going to do well, but how I compared to him I had no idea. Now in hindsight to have beaten him in three years in a row, I'm very pleased. It's been important for my career, definitely."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.