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Rosberg extends Mercedes contract

Nico Rosberg has been with the team since its return to the sport in 2010 © Getty Images

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Nico Rosberg has signed a "multi-year contract extension" with Mercedes that takes him past the 2013 season.

Rosberg, who joined Mercedes from Williams when it returned to Formula One ahead of the 2010 season, scored three podiums in an impressive debut year with the team. While this season has not been so successful with Mercedes yet to secure a podium finish, Rosberg still leads seven-time world champion team-mate Michael Schumacher by five points in the standings.

While the team does not disclose the full length of the contract, it is a clear extension of his previous deal that ran until the end of 2012, and Rosberg said he is sure that he will be rewarded with a winning car in that time.

"I am very excited to have extended my contract with the Mercedes GP Petronas team," Rosberg said. "To win in a Silver Arrow will be one of the highlights of my life so far, and I greatly enjoy helping to lead our team in our quest to become the best in Formula One. I have every confidence that the team will provide me with a winning car, and that we will be able to contribute to the fantastic racing heritage of the Silver Arrows. I look forward to great times in the years ahead with the Mercedes-Benz family."

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn said that the decision was an easy one because the team knew Rosberg would deliver victories given the right car.

"We are delighted to have extended our contract with Nico as we know that he is a driver who can win races and championships," Brawn said. "Nico has performed exceptionally well for our Silver Arrows team over the past two seasons, achieving results at the very limit of the technical capabilities of our current car. He has an excellent work ethic and, together with Michael, this gives us a driver pairing who consistently push the team to improve and progress. As we continue to strengthen our team for the future, we look forward to providing Nico with a car which will enable him to compete right at the front of the field and achieve his deserved first win in Formula One."

Norbert Haug, vice-president of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport said he had been impressed with Rosberg's professionalism since joining the team.

"Nico and Mercedes GP Petronas have the same targets, he loves to work with our team and we are fully committed to a long and successful future together. I very much appreciate Nico's total dedication and his precision. He is certainly one of the quickest, most talented and most consistent drivers in the field, and his level of professionalism is second to none. We will work very hard to improve our technical package, in order to give our drivers the car to deliver the results they deserve. In Michael, Nico has the most successful racing driver in the history of the sport as his team-mate, which is a perfect combination for him as well as for our team. We all rate Nico very highly and we are looking forward to a long co-operation full of hard work, which will deliver great success for Nico and Mercedes GP Petronas."

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