• Mercedes

Rosberg unfazed by Schumacher

ESPNF1 Staff
January 24, 2010 « Yamaha boss concerned he could lose Rossi to F1 | »
Nico Rosberg is confident he will get the same treatment as Schumacher at Mercedes © Getty Images
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Nico Rosberg says he is unfazed about having Michael Schumacher as his team-mate this season at Mercedes.

Rosberg signed with the team last year and expected to be paired with 2009 champion Jenson Button. However, when Button moved to McLaren it became apparent that Schumacher was in talks with team principal Ross Brawn about a return to Formula One. The deal was confirmed just before Christmas 2009, setting up an all-German team for the coming season. Rosberg admitted that all the uncertainty wasn't easy to live through, but is confident that he will be ready to face Schumacher at the season opener in Bahrain.

"In motorsport you need a reference and I've got the very best next to me," he told L'Equipe. "I have been given the assurance we will have the same materials. All the attention will be on him, while I have the time to concentrate on my work."

He also played down the significance of swapping his race number with Schumacher. Mercedes confirmed last week that Schumacher will race with the No.3 on his car, after requesting a swap due to his preference for odd numbers. But Rosberg thinks the matter is of little importance and is looking forward to proving himself on the race track.

"When I win in Bahrain - that is my goal - people will care not about the number that is on my car, but about the driver who is inside," he said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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