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Nico Rosberg to drive for Mercedes GP in 2010

Nico Rosberg has been confirmed as a Mercedes GP driver for 2010.

The signing was widely anticipated ever since he confirmed he was leaving Williams at the end of 2009. The German is the first driver to be confirmed for the recently bought-out team and comes to Mercedes on the back of four seasons in Formula One.

"I am really happy to be a part of the Silver Arrows re-launch in 2010 as a driver for Mercedes," he said. "No other brand in Formula One can look back on such a long and successful tradition in motor racing."

Team principal Ross Brawn was keen to welcome his new signing, having worked with his father Keke Rosberg in his first F1 job at Williams in the 1980s.

"We are delighted to welcome Rosberg to our Mercedes team and are very much looking forward to working with him. 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 career and it is great to see Nico following in his footsteps. 2009 was Nico's best season in F1 to date and we look forward to seeing his development continue with us at Mercedes next year."

Last week Jenson Button shocked many by signing for rivals McLaren, forcing his old team to reconsider its driver options for 2010. Rosberg is the first driver to be confirmed at Mercedes while Nick Heidfeld and even Michael Schumacher have been linked to the remaining vacant seat.

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