From the 2010 season, German driver Nico Rosberg will drive for the new Mercedes team in the Formula 1 World Championship, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport announced today.
Three years after his father Keke had won the Formula 1 World Championship, Nico Rosberg, 24, was born in Wiesbaden, Germany on 27 June 1985, inheriting his racing DNA from his father.
At the age of eight, Nico Rosberg began racing karts. From 1997 until 2000, he raced for the MBM team (the talent support programme of Mercedes-Benz McLaren); with this team, the two Formula 1 partners encouraged young talents. Nico’s team-mate at that time was Lewis Hamilton, McLaren Mercedes driver since 2007 and 2008 Formula 1 World Champion. In 2000, Nico was runner-up in the Formula A European Championship. Two years later, he entered his first car races in Formula BMW ADAC and clinched the title in his debut year with nine victories out of 18 races. A Williams Formula 1 test drive was the reward for the championship win - at the age of 17, Nico was the youngest driver ever to get such an opportunity.
In 2003 and 2004, Nico Rosberg participated in the then new Formula 3 Euro Series; in his first year he came home second in the rookie rankings and in 2004 he finished fourth overall. One year later in 2005, he moved up to the GP2 series which is staged alongside Formula 1 events and won the title.
The 2006 season opener at Bahrain on 12 March was Nico’s first Formula 1 race; he finished seventh and posted the fastest lap. To date, he has taken part in 70 Grands Prix, all for the Williams team; scoring a total of 75.5 points and achieving second place at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix as his best Formula 1 result. The 2009 season was Nico’s best in Formula 1 so far; finishing seventh overall with 34.5 points.
Nico Rosberg grew up in Germany, Monaco and at Ibiza; in addition to his mother tongue he is fluent in English, Italian and French.
Nico Rosberg: “I am really happy to be a part of the Silver Arrows re-launch in 2010 as a driver for Mercedes. No other brand in Formula 1 can look back on such a long and successful tradition in motor racing. I am very proud that I will now drive for the new Mercedes team and work with Ross Brawn. I am more motivated than ever and can hardly wait to start testing with the new Silver Arrow and for the first race of the new season at Bahrain on 14 March 2010.”
Ross Brawn, Team Principal: “We are delighted to welcome Nico 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 1, 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 Formula One career and it is great to see Nico following in his footsteps. 2009 was Nico’s best season in Formula 1 to date and we look forward to seeing his development continue with us at Mercedes next year.”
Monday 23 November 2009
Rosberg joins Mercedes for 2010
Nico Rosberg has been announced as Mercedes Grand Prix's first driver for the 2010 season.
The signing of the 24-year-old German has been expected ever since he confirmed in October that he would not remain with Williams for a fifth straight season.
"I am really happy to be a part of the Silver Arrows re-launch in 2010 as a driver for Mercedes," said Rosberg.
"No other brand in Formula 1 can look back on such a long and successful tradition in motor racing. I am very proud that I will now drive for the new Mercedes team and work with Ross Brawn.
"I am more motivated than ever and can hardly wait to start testing with the new Silver Arrow and for the first race of the new season at Bahrain in March."
Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, who guided the squad to drivers' and constructors' titles this year under the guise of Brawn GP, believes that Rosberg is the ideal driver to join the team for 2010.
"We are delighted to welcome Nico to our Mercedes team and are very much looking forward to working with him," he said.
"Nico is a great talent, and with four years of experience in Formula 1, 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 Formula One career and it is great to see Nico following in his footsteps.
"2009 was Nico's best season in Formula 1 to date and we look forward to seeing his development continue with us at Mercedes next year."
Rosberg's team-mate is expected to be fellow German Nick Heidfeld, although no announcement has been made.
The signing of the 24-year-old German has been expected ever since he confirmed in October that he would not remain with Williams for a fifth straight season.
"I am really happy to be a part of the Silver Arrows re-launch in 2010 as a driver for Mercedes," said Rosberg.
"No other brand in Formula 1 can look back on such a long and successful tradition in motor racing. I am very proud that I will now drive for the new Mercedes team and work with Ross Brawn.
"I am more motivated than ever and can hardly wait to start testing with the new Silver Arrow and for the first race of the new season at Bahrain in March."
Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, who guided the squad to drivers' and constructors' titles this year under the guise of Brawn GP, believes that Rosberg is the ideal driver to join the team for 2010.
"We are delighted to welcome Nico to our Mercedes team and are very much looking forward to working with him," he said.
"Nico is a great talent, and with four years of experience in Formula 1, 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 Formula One career and it is great to see Nico following in his footsteps.
"2009 was Nico's best season in Formula 1 to date and we look forward to seeing his development continue with us at Mercedes next year."
Rosberg's team-mate is expected to be fellow German Nick Heidfeld, although no announcement has been made.
Monday 16 November 2009
Brawn takeover by Mercedes
"Brawn GP has been through an incredible journey over the last 12 months. From fighting for our survival to forging a strong relationship with Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines, winning both the Constructors and Drivers World Championships, and now accepting Daimler and Aabars offer to buy our team, which will secure its future”, Team Principal Ross Brawn looks back on a difficult beginning of the year which eventually turned into an extremely successful season.
"Both I and my fellow Directors at Brawn GP are incredibly proud of our staff, drivers and everyone associated with our team and thank them for their commitment, outstanding teamwork and their focus on achieving results in sometimes difficult circumstances. The senior management group will remain in place to lead our team and on behalf of everyone at Brawn GP, we are honoured to be representing such a prestigious brand as Mercedes-Benz in Formula One next year and will be working together to do our best to reward their faith in our team."
"Both I and my fellow Directors at Brawn GP are incredibly proud of our staff, drivers and everyone associated with our team and thank them for their commitment, outstanding teamwork and their focus on achieving results in sometimes difficult circumstances. The senior management group will remain in place to lead our team and on behalf of everyone at Brawn GP, we are honoured to be representing such a prestigious brand as Mercedes-Benz in Formula One next year and will be working together to do our best to reward their faith in our team."
Wednesday 11 November 2009
Brawn: Car makers will return to F1
The world's major car manufacturers will return to Formula 1 in the future, according to Brawn team boss Ross Brawn.
Formula 1 has lost three car makers over the last 12 months following the exits of Honda, BMW and now Toyota, who announced last week it was pulling out of the sport with immediate effect.
Japanese tyre maker Bridgestone has also revealed it will quit the sport at the end of next season.
Brawn, however, remains hopeful that the likes of Honda will return to Formula 1 once the recession is over.
"They've obviously decided that this is how they need to respond to difficulties they are facing, but they have got a lot of history in Formula 1, particularly Honda and Bridgestone, so let's hope," Brawn told Reuters.
"It will take a while, it's going to take a few years but Honda's was their second or third involvement in Formula 1.
"Manufacturers look at the value to them of Formula 1, there's no sentiment I'm afraid. So when it's viable they come in, and when it's not they don't."
He added: "It's a major sport and it (manufacturer involvement) will come round again. But luckily there is a lot of interest from privateers and they will sustain Formula 1 for a good few years.
"I've been in Formula 1 for over 30 years and I've seen it go from total privateers to a huge number of manufacturers back to privateers and it just goes in cycles depending on the climate.
"There has always been a core group. Ferrari have always been involved and Mercedes have a long history of being involved and riding the occasional storm," he added.
"I think there are some manufacturers that take a day-to-day view and unfortunately those are leaving now but they are being filled up by a lot of private teams."
Ferrari and Renault are the only two car makers with a team left in Formula 1.
Formula 1 has lost three car makers over the last 12 months following the exits of Honda, BMW and now Toyota, who announced last week it was pulling out of the sport with immediate effect.
Japanese tyre maker Bridgestone has also revealed it will quit the sport at the end of next season.
Brawn, however, remains hopeful that the likes of Honda will return to Formula 1 once the recession is over.
"They've obviously decided that this is how they need to respond to difficulties they are facing, but they have got a lot of history in Formula 1, particularly Honda and Bridgestone, so let's hope," Brawn told Reuters.
"It will take a while, it's going to take a few years but Honda's was their second or third involvement in Formula 1.
"Manufacturers look at the value to them of Formula 1, there's no sentiment I'm afraid. So when it's viable they come in, and when it's not they don't."
He added: "It's a major sport and it (manufacturer involvement) will come round again. But luckily there is a lot of interest from privateers and they will sustain Formula 1 for a good few years.
"I've been in Formula 1 for over 30 years and I've seen it go from total privateers to a huge number of manufacturers back to privateers and it just goes in cycles depending on the climate.
"There has always been a core group. Ferrari have always been involved and Mercedes have a long history of being involved and riding the occasional storm," he added.
"I think there are some manufacturers that take a day-to-day view and unfortunately those are leaving now but they are being filled up by a lot of private teams."
Ferrari and Renault are the only two car makers with a team left in Formula 1.
Sunday 8 November 2009
Brawn promises more to come in 2010
Ross Brawn believes his team could be in even better shape next season as it will not have to rush its engine installation as it did during its tumultuous 2008/2009 winter.
This time last year the squad was thrown into turmoil when Honda pulled out of Formula 1.
Its ultimately title winning 2009 car was already designed, but Honda's exit meant a change to Mercedes engines - and although that didn't stop Brawn sweeping to the championship, the team boss felt the engine switch forced several compromises.
Brawn has now been able to plan its 2010 design around the Mercedes V8, and expects to gain from this.
"We've had a good run into installing this engine in the car now, so things like the cooling system, the exhaust system, the airbox - all those types of things have been developed more thoroughly on the new car," Brawn explained.
"The main thing for us is that it's the second year of working with Mercedes and it should be a much better installation because we've had an opportunity to begin early and have the sort of exhaust system we need, design the gearbox properly for the engine, design the chassis properly for the engine, put the right coolers on... so we should benefit from all those things."
Brawn reckons the hurried engine installation changes were part of the reason why the team was eventually overhauled by several rivals.
"I think in the early part of the year we had the quickest car, at the end we were in a group," he said.
"I think some of the compromises we made with the installation of the engine have hurt us too much."
The team benefited from a headstart this year because it had given up on its poor 2008 design early on and diverted maximum resources to the new car.
That wasn't the case this season, but Brawn said his squad had still managed to make great progress with its 2010 machine.
"We have been trying to balance what we do this year with next year," he said.
"We've not thrown everything at it, because we needed to get on with next year's car, and on balance we got away with it.
"Next year's cars have no refuelling, a different chassis shape and a different tyre size - quite a lot of differences.
"So because we don't want to be a one season wonder, we've had to make sure we can balance this year and next year."
This time last year the squad was thrown into turmoil when Honda pulled out of Formula 1.
Its ultimately title winning 2009 car was already designed, but Honda's exit meant a change to Mercedes engines - and although that didn't stop Brawn sweeping to the championship, the team boss felt the engine switch forced several compromises.
Brawn has now been able to plan its 2010 design around the Mercedes V8, and expects to gain from this.
"We've had a good run into installing this engine in the car now, so things like the cooling system, the exhaust system, the airbox - all those types of things have been developed more thoroughly on the new car," Brawn explained.
"The main thing for us is that it's the second year of working with Mercedes and it should be a much better installation because we've had an opportunity to begin early and have the sort of exhaust system we need, design the gearbox properly for the engine, design the chassis properly for the engine, put the right coolers on... so we should benefit from all those things."
Brawn reckons the hurried engine installation changes were part of the reason why the team was eventually overhauled by several rivals.
"I think in the early part of the year we had the quickest car, at the end we were in a group," he said.
"I think some of the compromises we made with the installation of the engine have hurt us too much."
The team benefited from a headstart this year because it had given up on its poor 2008 design early on and diverted maximum resources to the new car.
That wasn't the case this season, but Brawn said his squad had still managed to make great progress with its 2010 machine.
"We have been trying to balance what we do this year with next year," he said.
"We've not thrown everything at it, because we needed to get on with next year's car, and on balance we got away with it.
"Next year's cars have no refuelling, a different chassis shape and a different tyre size - quite a lot of differences.
"So because we don't want to be a one season wonder, we've had to make sure we can balance this year and next year."
Monday 2 November 2009
Brawn thanks departing Barrichello
Ross Brawn has thanked Rubens Barrichello for the part he played in Brawn GP’s triumphant season, following Monday’s announcement that the Brazilian will be moving to Williams next year.
Barrichello was confirmed as part of Williams’s 2010 line-up along with GP2 champion Nico Hulkenberg – meaning that Formula 1’s most experienced driver in history will extend his career into an 18th season.
Brawn, who also worked closely with Barrichello in his Ferrari days, paid a warm tribute to the 37-year-old veteran, saying he had made an invaluable contribution during his four-year spell with the Brackley-based team.
“We are very pleased for Rubens that he will be driving in Formula 1 once again next year,” he said.
“Rubens was with our team for four years and we regard him as a highly experienced and talented driver whose contribution to the team over that period was significant.
“2009 was a very special season for Brawn GP and I am extremely proud of the spirit in which our drivers Rubens and Jenson [Button] fought for the drivers’ championship.
“Rubens contributed hugely to our success in the constructors’ championship with two great victories in Valencia and Monza along with numerous podiums and he was a pleasure to work with.
“We wish Rubens the very best with his new team and thank him for his contribution to Brawn GP this year.”
Brawn has been mulling its options for 2010 and has yet to confirm either driver, although new world champion Button is almost certain to re-sign provided he and the team can agree financial terms.
Barrichello was confirmed as part of Williams’s 2010 line-up along with GP2 champion Nico Hulkenberg – meaning that Formula 1’s most experienced driver in history will extend his career into an 18th season.
Brawn, who also worked closely with Barrichello in his Ferrari days, paid a warm tribute to the 37-year-old veteran, saying he had made an invaluable contribution during his four-year spell with the Brackley-based team.
“We are very pleased for Rubens that he will be driving in Formula 1 once again next year,” he said.
“Rubens was with our team for four years and we regard him as a highly experienced and talented driver whose contribution to the team over that period was significant.
“2009 was a very special season for Brawn GP and I am extremely proud of the spirit in which our drivers Rubens and Jenson [Button] fought for the drivers’ championship.
“Rubens contributed hugely to our success in the constructors’ championship with two great victories in Valencia and Monza along with numerous podiums and he was a pleasure to work with.
“We wish Rubens the very best with his new team and thank him for his contribution to Brawn GP this year.”
Brawn has been mulling its options for 2010 and has yet to confirm either driver, although new world champion Button is almost certain to re-sign provided he and the team can agree financial terms.
Sunday 1 November 2009
Button: Beating Red Bull is realistic
World champion Jenson Button thinks his Brawn team can take the fight to rival Red Bull Racing in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - although he concedes that Lewis Hamilton's McLaren is too quick.
Although Button only qualified fifth for the final race of the season, he thinks he had the potential to have put his car on the front row of the grid – which leaves him optimistic about his chances for the race.
"The car is working well here and it is nothing compared to the McLaren," said Button. "That has been staggeringly quick all weekend. I think we have looked good all weekend in practice because the strategy we did with the tyres, we looked quick – and we are quick compared to everyone else. It is just that the McLaren is so far in front.
"In qualifying, Q1 and Q2, the car was working well. I was near the top in both, and I was happy with it. But in Q3 when I went out I had a massive vibration, which we are looking at now. We are hoping it is a wheel weight, or a couple of wheel weights as it cannot just be one, because as soon as I hit the brakes I had this massive shuddering on the steering wheel.
"When you have that, you lose a lot of front grip because the tyre is not in contact with the road. Hopefully it is that, and not the brakes – but I did lose brake power on the last stint compared to the previous few runs."
He added: "It is annoying being fifth on the grid because I think we would have been on the front row with Lewis – six tenths behind him still but we would have been on the front row. It is frustrating. I just hope we can sort the problem for the race because I cannot do a whole race like that. If we can sort it, I think we can have a fun race.
"P5 is not that bad. It is the best qualifying I've had for many races, so I think we can have some fun with the Red Bulls. Lewis? I'm not sure we can challenge him, but the Red Bulls and Rubens [Barrichello], I think we can have a good race."
Button has said he is not surprised that Hamilton took a dominant pole position – with the McLaren being perfectly suited to the low-speed characteristics of the Yas Marina circuit.
"I want to beat Lewis, and like any grand prix I want to win the race," said Button. "But I think he is four or five tenths quicker than us, and that is what we thought going into qualifying as well. It is pretty much what we expected, which is not great obviously."
Although Button only qualified fifth for the final race of the season, he thinks he had the potential to have put his car on the front row of the grid – which leaves him optimistic about his chances for the race.
"The car is working well here and it is nothing compared to the McLaren," said Button. "That has been staggeringly quick all weekend. I think we have looked good all weekend in practice because the strategy we did with the tyres, we looked quick – and we are quick compared to everyone else. It is just that the McLaren is so far in front.
"In qualifying, Q1 and Q2, the car was working well. I was near the top in both, and I was happy with it. But in Q3 when I went out I had a massive vibration, which we are looking at now. We are hoping it is a wheel weight, or a couple of wheel weights as it cannot just be one, because as soon as I hit the brakes I had this massive shuddering on the steering wheel.
"When you have that, you lose a lot of front grip because the tyre is not in contact with the road. Hopefully it is that, and not the brakes – but I did lose brake power on the last stint compared to the previous few runs."
He added: "It is annoying being fifth on the grid because I think we would have been on the front row with Lewis – six tenths behind him still but we would have been on the front row. It is frustrating. I just hope we can sort the problem for the race because I cannot do a whole race like that. If we can sort it, I think we can have a fun race.
"P5 is not that bad. It is the best qualifying I've had for many races, so I think we can have some fun with the Red Bulls. Lewis? I'm not sure we can challenge him, but the Red Bulls and Rubens [Barrichello], I think we can have a good race."
Button has said he is not surprised that Hamilton took a dominant pole position – with the McLaren being perfectly suited to the low-speed characteristics of the Yas Marina circuit.
"I want to beat Lewis, and like any grand prix I want to win the race," said Button. "But I think he is four or five tenths quicker than us, and that is what we thought going into qualifying as well. It is pretty much what we expected, which is not great obviously."
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