Quatro hipóteses para a equipa alemã

O processo de ’selecção’ do segundo piloto da equipa na ‘nova’ Mercedes Grand Prix vai continuar a dar que falar durante mais algum tempo. É certo que Kimi Raikkonen continua a ser forte possibilidade para a equipa alemã, só que não vai ser fácil convencê-lo, pois o pré-contrato que o finlandês tem (ler notícia relacionada, ver link abaixo) permite-lhe disputar ralis, como ele queria e voltar à F1 em 2011, com um bom carro e a auferir bem mais do que a Mercedes lhe quererá pagar este ano.

Mas as hipóteses da Mercedes não se resumem, obviamente a Kimi Raikkonen. A verdade é que com a saída de Button, a Mercedes precisa de um piloto ganhador para se juntar a Nico Rosberg, e neste contexto, para além do finlandês, os ‘jokers’ mais prováveis no baralho são:

Nick Heidfled: Competente e experiente, mas longe do perfil ganhador que a Mercedes gostaria. Será sempre uma segunda escolha.

Robert Kubica: A Mercedes vai esperar pela decisão da Renault para tomar a sua. Se os franceses abandonarem a F1, Kubica fica livre para ingressar na equipa campeão do mundo

Michael Schumacher: Um regresso espectacular, mas que o alemão já desmentiu. No entanto já se viu que na F1 a regra é “Nunca digas nunca”. Pode vir a integrar a equipa, mas com funções de gestão.

[Fonte: autosport.aeiou.pt]

We are contemplating to launch a global P1Mag format in English language in 2010. We would like to offer you a first peak on how our e-paper looks in its current German version. As a bonus we’re offering our latest silly season report in English about the background on Schumacher, Räikkönen and Kiubica regarding Mercedes GP.

You can download it for free from the official P1Mag homepage

Dear colleagues, please be so kind to quote P1Magazin when breaking the story about Nico Rosbergs likely team-mate to your readers. Thank you !

Updates on this story HERE

The driver market remains in flux.  Nico Rosberg is in at Mercedes, a great choice for the son of 1982 champion Keke Rosberg.  At least in his case, the apple did not fall far from the tree.

Although Kimi Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher were floated for the new Mercedes team, the decision to take on Rosberg makes it clear that the Kimi-Michael dream team won’t happen.  Nico is a star in his homeland of Germany, and Mercedes surely received a marketing bonus.  I’m starting to think Mercedes is going to surprise all of us with the second driver.

As much as I want to see Michael in the car, Ross Brawn’s public comments have thrown cold water on that plan.  Unless Ross is deliberately spreading disinformation (and that would not surprise me), Michael will spend the winter at home in Switzerland, eating fondue and running marathons or whatever it is that he does these days.

Speaking of famous fathers, one driver we won’t see in that Benz seat: Jacques Villeneuve.  Villeneuve is kidding himself, traipsing around the paddock 12 years after his title, hocking his skills to disinterested teams. Villeneuve has accomplished very little in his career after Williams, other than fattening his wallet.  We’d like to see Jacques give up on F1 and stop making us cringe in every interview, claiming to be “ready and fit” for a race seat.  If you were, you’d have one already. Get the message Jacques.  His father was a racer with a short but memorable career.  Like Damon Hill (another son of a more famous father), Jacques never reached the heights after his single world title.

Nico is cut strictly from the mold of his father.  Keke was always on the limit, the racer’s racer, walrus mustache and aviator shades, cigarette dangling from his mouth.  He may have seemed nonchalant, but the fire burned inside.  His son is the same way.  Even in a recalcitrant Williams, Nico’s talent was spotted early and he will be a success in F1.

By contrast, Nelson Piquet Jr. was a huge disappointment, and his name is now disgraced because of a race-fixing scandal.  Nelson is out of F1 and Nico has just landed a plum seat.  This undoubtedly had to do with the parental approach to racing.  Whereas Keke Rosberg stayed distant from his son’s career, Nelson Piquet had a firm hand in his Nelson Jr.’s development, probably too much influence.  No expense was spared, and “Nelshino” was feted by his father throughout the junior formulae.  This must have placed enormous pressure on Nelson Jr. to succeed.  When your father is a three-time world champion, great things are expected of you.

Nico was quick in an unreliable Williams, setting a fastest lap in his first race in Bahrain in 2006.  That is a huge accomplishment in the context of a maiden F1 race.  To have the presence of mind to stay out of trouble, but be quick and unfazed by all that is going on around you.  He earned the respect of his peers that day and made up for later uneven performances by being a quick study and a ballsy racer.

Nelson struggled mightily with the Renault and never seemed to get to grips.  It helped little that his teammate was a much loved, two-time world champion.  Still, Alonso could get the job done and Nelson could not.  His tantrums towards the end of his tenure at Renault seemed whiny and boorish.  Suddenly his early success seemed contrived.

Threatened with termination by team principal Flavio Briatore, Nelson caved in and agreed to stage a crash during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.  This was supposed to “help” the team score a much-needed podium, at a time when Renault’s F1 program was in doubt and Nelson’s career was on the ropes. When Briatore (also Piquet’s manager) leaned hard, Nelson cracked.  And that is why he will never again see the sharp end of the grid; because he lacked the inner strength to tell Briatore to go screw himself.  Because he should have gone out on the track and raced every lap, to hell with Flavio, even if it meant losing his seat.  Because his father never taught him that dignity and respect, for yourself and among your peers, is more important than your race seat.  Nelson Piquet Jr.’s instinct for career preservation was stronger than his instinct as a racer.  His weakness has been exposed for the entire paddock to see.

That is why next year, Nico Rosberg will drive for a world championship constructor, and Nelson will be scrounging up test days in NASCAR.

Incluso aunque Mercedes no hubiera comprado Brawn, Nico Rosberg hubiera pasado al equipo de Brackley para 2010, insiste el director ejecutivo Nick Fry. El lunes se reveló que el antiguo piloto de Williams es el primer piloto de Mercedes GP.

Se ha rumoreado durante meses que Rosberg se iba a marchar a Brawn y Fry confirmó que las conversaciones se han mantenido durante la temporada 2009.

“Nico se iba a incorporar a Brawn bajo cualquier circunstancia,” declaraba a la prensa, entre sugerencias de que la firma de Rosberg fue una primer indicación de la influencia que han ejercido los nuevos propietarios del equipo.

“Estamos muy satisfechos de que las circunstancias hayan funcionado tal como lo han hecho, pero la negociación se realizó principalmente con el equipo Brawn, conmigo y con Ross,” añadía Fry.

Algunos expertos consideran a Nick Heidfeld como la elección más probable para ser el compañero de Rosberg, pero también se ha vinculado a ese puesto a Michael Schumacher y Kimi Räikkönen.

Robert Kubica también podría ser una posibilidad, dependiendo del resultado de las deliberaciones que está realizando Renault sobre su compromiso con la F1.

[Fonte: es.f1-live.com] - E.M. © CAPSIS International - Fuente: GMM

Nico Rosberg definiu a oportunidade de pilotar um “Flecha de Prata” como “muito especial”.

“É definitivamente algo incrível. A última vez que um alemão pilotou uma “Flecha de Prata” foi em 1955, o que foi há muito tempo. Já era o momento de ter um alemão na equipa novamente”, disse.

“A minha meta é bastante alta. Quero vencer corridas, no mínimo, e depois veremos. Precisamos esperar alguns meses para ver como o carro se comporta, mas estou confiante de que teremos um pacote bom”, completou Rosberg.

O alemão, no entanto, recusou-se a falar a respeito da possível contratação do compatriota Michael Schumacher pela equipa, já que a Mercedes deseja contar com uma dupla alemã e o heptacampeão seria a melhor opção.

“Não gostaria de falar sobre isso. Mas não me preocupo com quem será o meu parceiro na equipa. O importante é que ele se incorpore bem ao grupo para que possamos lutar juntos por vitórias na Mercedes.”

Questionado se a saída de Jenson Button da antiga Brawn o apanhou de surpresa, Rosberg disse que não sabia se o inglês permaneceria na equipa, mas que não ficou muito espantado com a notícia de que ele iria para a McLaren.

Além disso, disse que a opção de ir para a Mercedes é o melhor que poderia fazer na sua carreira e que o facto de o construtor alemão ter adquirido a Brawn pesou bastante na sua decisão.

“Este foi um factor que pesou bastante na minha decisão. É fantástico ser parte de um grande construtor como a Mercedes, junto com a equipa que foi a Brawn, o que é uma combinação fantástica para mim”, completou.

Rosberg disse ainda que visitará a fábrica da equipa esta quarta-feira. “Estive em contacto com Ross Brawn e com os engenheiros para discutirmos o carro de 2010, mas vou visitar a fábrica mesmo esta quarta. Será óptimo rever algumas pessoas que conheço”, finalizou.

[Fonte: portalf1.com]

What is your aim for next year?

NR: The aim is going to be very high for me. I want to win races at least, and then we’ll see. We need to wait a few months to see how the car turns out but I’m confident that we’re going to have a strong package.

What does it mean to be the first German to race a Silver Arrows grand prix car in over 50 years?

NR: It’s incredible. It is definitely quite a special thing. The last time a German raced a Silver Arrow was 1955, so that’s a very long time ago. It’s about time there was a German in a Silver Arrows again.

Nika Lauda says that you have the talent to take on and beat Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. What is your reaction to that?

NR: It’s very nice to hear that from him and I definitely believe in myself as a racing driver and I’m really looking forward to next year because for sure I’m going to have a great car and I really believe that I’m going to be able to take them on for sure.

Which of the two of them is tougher competition?

NR: That’s difficult to say. We’ll see next year when they are up against each other. I’m not sure. I raced against Lewis, so I can say for sure that Lewis is a great driver and Jenson is a bit more difficult for me to judge but he is certainly a fantastic driver.

Do you regard yourself as German or Finnish?

NR: I definitely regard myself as a German, quite simply because I grew up with the German culture, we spoke German at home and watched German TV. So overall I’m a German.

You said during the year that you had a lot of options for 2010. You’ve now signed for one of the few manufacturer teams in F1 – how important a factor was that in your decision?

NR: It was definitely a factor that was important in my decision. It’s fantastic to be part of a great manufacturer like Mercedes and that together with the team that used to be Brawn GP is the best possible combination for me.

If the driver in the other car is Michael Schumacher, are you confident that you can take him on and beat him?

NR: I don’t want to comment on that, sorry.

Are you surprised that the driver in the other car is not Jenson Button?

NR: It was never certain [to be]. There was a high chance that it was going to be and now it has turned out not to be. That’s just how it went. I wasn’t that involved with what was going on so it was a little bit of a surprise, but not too much.

Would you like to have a German team-mate?

NR: I don’t really mind who my team-mate is. It’s just important that he fits well into the group so that we can attack together for Mercedes GP.

Have you already been to the factory and what do you know about next year’s car?

NR: I will go to the factory on Wednesday because I also waited for the announcement to be done. I’ve been in contact with Ross and the engineers about next year’s car to keep in touch, but I’m really going to start attacking on that front on Wednesday. I’m looking forward to visiting the factory and also there are a lot of people that I know from past years in F1 and it will be nice to see them again.

Who do you see as your main rival?
NR: I think it’s best to mention teams at this point and the main rivals will most likely be Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull.

You are the first driver to be contracted by Mercedes. How far do you consider yourself a team leader?

NR: It’s something that I would really like to grow into, to become a team leader. That’s what I’ll be pushing to do and you achieve that by working with the team, getting the respect of the team and becoming a team leader in pushing the technical direction and also in terms of results on the track. That’s something that you need to build up and I’m going to try and do that very soon.

Have your say and share your views in the comments  – get writing now…

Reference Source:Autosport.com

Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug fuelled speculation about Michael Schumacher’s rumoured return to Formula 1, refusing to categorically deny the German could drive for the team.

Team boss Ross Brawn told German newspaper Bild over the weekend that rumours of a possible return by the seven-time champion were a “fantasy of the media”.

“Michael would have come back temporarily for Ferrari but he doesn’t want to begin a new career,” Brawn added.

“I think that we have to live with these speculations,” said Haug during a press conference. “What Ross pointed out, I think we have to respect that. I fully understand that these speculations are ongoing as long as we don’t announce who is driving the other car but that’s what we have to live with.”

When asked to categorically deny Schumacher could drive the car, Haug added: “When will you ever say categorically anything in F1? Ross made it quite clear and I really have nothing to add.”

Mercedes GP chief executive Nick Fry was also unwilling to discuss the Schumacher rumours.

“I’ve got nothing to add to that,” he said. “We are here today to talk about Nico Rosberg and we should stick with that subject. Ross has answered the question extremely well.”

Fry said Mercedes was in no great hurry to finalise who would partner Rosberg in its 2010 line-up, but that the decision was likely within the next month.

“It obviously would have been ideal to announce them together but that’s impossible,” he said.

“We don’t have huge time pressure at the moment, but once one goes beyond Christmas and into the new year it becomes slightly more difficult with seat fits in time for the engineers to talk to the driver. I would hope on the other driver to do it before Christmas purely for logistical reasons.”

Have your say and share your views in the comments  – get writing now…

Reference Source:Autosport.com

O alemão Nico Rosberg foi confirmado hoje como novo piloto da Mercedes Grand Prix. Depois da partida da Williams um mês atrás, sua chegada a equipe campeã de 2009 era lance dado como certo.

Há ainda muita controvérsia em torno da escolha do parceiro de Nico para 2010 — se será Kimi Raikkonen, Nick Heidfeld ou Michael Schumacher —, mas a verdade é que, com Sebastian Vettel atado à Red Bull a médio prazo, Nico é no momento a aposta comercialmente perfeita para a tradicional Mercedes.

O filho de Keke é articulado e carismático no trato com a mídia e com patrocinadores. O alemão fala três línguas e sua dupla nacionalidade — meio finlandês, meio alemão — um achado para a necessidade da Mercedes-Benz de expressar certo multiculturalismo frente a patrocinadores.

Em termos de performance há ainda muito a provar e Nico chegou a ser alvo de críticas veladas de Patrick Head esse ano, mas o filho de Keke pareceu consistente em corridas complicadas, como a prova noturna realizada no difícil circuito urbano de Cingapura em 2008.

Se a Mercedes carregar o bom momento técnico de 2009 para 2010, esta será a grande oportunidade de Nico Rosberg provar que há mais do que um sobrenome em sua ainda curta trajetória na Formula 1.

Nico Rosberg was unveiled this morning as Mercedes Benz GP’s first new driver for the 2010 season.

The highly rated German youngster left Williams after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and was connected with the team before Brawn sold out to Mercedes.  When this happened, it became almost 100% certain that Rosberg would join Benz as the manufacturer looked to German drivers.

“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.”

Speculation is mounting as to who his team mate will be.  With internet (and Eddie Jordan’s) finger pointing at Michael Schumacher, lets not forget Nick Heidfeld the “maybe” man has been linked with the drive, could this re-spark his career?

Photo from BrawnGP

Cadê o carro?

E o tal grupo misterioso que adquiriu a BMW-Sauber, chamado Qadbak, parece estar subindo no telhado. De acordo com reportagem do jornal suíço “Sonntagszeitung”, o Qadbak não possui a grana que se imaginava, tampouco é apoiado por magnatas do Oriente Médio. Pelo contrário, o principal nome por trás da companhia é um tal de Russell King, que já passou um tempo na prisão por fraude no fisco e possui bens congelados pela Justiça. Ainda de acordo com a publicação, o acordo da venda pode melar nos próximos dias.

A BMW, como eu já disse várias vezes, fez uma enorme cagada e agora o time está virtualmente sem tempo para qualquer coisa. É uma lástima que a oferta de Peter Sauber não tenha sido aceita pelos alemães há meses atrás. Uma vergonha.

Então cruzem os dedos, fufeiros, porque a chance de mais uma equipe bem estabelecida sumir do mapa é grande, muito grande, enquanto teremos de aturar as sandices da Lotus malaia e da USF1. Afff

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Nico: segredo mais mal guardado do ano

A Cometa GP (aka Ross Racing, aka Mercedes GP) confirmou nesta segunda-feira o que todos já sabíamos. O alemão Nico Rosberg será um dos pilotos da escuderia anglo-alemã em 2010. Seu companheiro de equipe ainda não foi revelado, mas o rotundo Norbert Haug prometeu que o nome será visto como “uma surpresa”.

Estou apostando em Koba-San, hein! Sonhar, afinal, não é crime.

Aliás, estou também considerando manter o nome Ross Racing em 2010, uma vez que já se tornou tradicional aqui no blog e o velho Ross seguirá no comando. O que acham? Não é a coisa lógica a ser feita?

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Este escriba está distribuindo dois invites para o GoogleWave, a nova ferramenta do Google que ainda não foi lançada oficialmente e que promete abalar as estruturas da forma como nos comunicamos online. Se você não sabe o que é GoogleWave, provavelmente pode esperar até o lançamento oficial. Mas se você, como eu, é um freak por novidades e está à procura de um convite para o Wave, a hora é agora.

Tudo que você precisa fazer para ganhar um é me escrever um email com “Eu quero!” no título. Só tenho dois sobrando, portanto, apressem-se. Não há pódio para o terceiro colocado.

Beijundas, e uma ótima semana para todos!

Alemão é confirmado oficialmente como o primeiro competidor da equipe

Como esperado, a Mercedes anunciou nesta segunda-feira o alemão Nico Rosberg como seu primeiro piloto para a temporada 2010 da F-1. O ex-piloto da Williams, sem companheiro definido no time, possui uma experiência de quatro anos na principal categoria do automobilismo.

“Estou muito feliz por fazer parte do retorno das “Flechas de Prata” em 2010 como piloto da Mercedes. Nenhuma outra marca na F-1 tem um passado de tanto sucesso e tradição no automobilismo. Estou muito orgulhoso de que agora trabalharei na nova equipe Mercedes e com Ross Brawn”, disse Rosberg.

“Estou mais motivado que nunca e mal posso esperar para testar com as “Flechas de Prata” e pela primeira corrida da temporada no Bahrein, em março.”

Ross Brawn, principal dirigente do time, elogiou o competidor alemão e disse que espera que o filho do campeão Keke Rosberg possa proporcionar uma grande contribuição à equipe.

“Estamos muito felizes por receber Nico Rosberg em nossa equipe e gostaríamos de ter trabalhado com ele há muito tempo. Nico tem um grande talento, com quatro anos de experiência na F-1. Ele é certamente um piloto que daá uma grande contribuição a nosso time.”

“Tive o prazer de trabalhar com seu pai, Keke, durante sua carreira na F-1 e é bom ver Nico seguindo seus passos. O ano de 2009 foi a melhor temporada dele e queremos ver sua evolução na Mercedes no próximo ano”, disse Ross.

Norbert Haug, vice-presidente da Mercedes-Benz, elogiou Rosberg e disse que as ambições do alemão coincidem com os desejos da equipe.

“Vi Nico pilotando karts junto com Lewis Hamilton e depois nos eventos de suporte do DTM, então o conheço desde quando ele era um garoto. Desde cedo era óbvio que ele seguiria a carreira de piloto e estamos muito orgulhosos de que depois de quatro anos na Williams ele seja piloto da Mercedes.”

Rosberg começou a testar pela Williams em 2003, quando competia também na F-3. Em 2005, quando já testava pela equipe inglesa há dois anos, foi campeão da GP2 pela ART, com a marca de cinco vitórias, 12 pódios e quatro pole positions.

Estreou como piloto titular no time de Frank Williams no ano de 2006, quando terminou na 17ª posição, com quatro pontos. Em 2007, melhorou consideravelmente seu desempenho, encerrando a temporada na nona posição, com 20 pontos conquistados.

Em 2008, não teve uma fase tão positiva, mas subiu ao pódio duas vezes e somou 17 pontos, terminando em 13º. Entretanto, nenhum dos outros anos se compara a este, onde foi matematicamente o campeão se considerados os resultados nos treinos livres, já que o alemão foi o que marcou o melhor tempo por mais vezes nas sessões de sexta-feira.

Apesar de não ter subido ao pódio nesta temporada, Rosberg se manteve na sétima colocação no campeonato, com 34.5 pontos conquistados e uma volta mais rápida.

[Fonte: tazio.uol.com.br]

Schumi Going Green?

And no… I do not mean environmentally friendly. After initial reports tipped Nick Heidfeld and Nico Rosberg for the drives at Mercedes GP (formerly Brawn GP), rumours have surfaced about another German bumping Heidfeld from the running. Former F1 team owner, and established race analyst Eddie Jordan, has stated his belief that retired, 7 time world champion Michael Schumacher, will now prospectively be the number one at Mercedes, which will place even more certainty on the impending departure of Kimi Raikkonen from F1, for the next year at least. Of course, this is still all up in the air. Michael faces a fair bit of red tape including gaining medical clearance, being released from his current contract at Ferrari… not to mention the physical wear and tear on that F1 will put on his body… how much more he can take has he suits up at the ripe age of 40? While it would be amazing to see the greatest driver of our generation take to the world’s circuits once more, we should remember that all of these talks could be surrounding a consultative move, comparable to his role with Ferrarri currently.

Jordan did comment that the contract would likely only last a year as the general thought is that Mercedes ultimately want Sebastian Vettel as soon as he becomes available… which could be as early as next year depending on any extensions and or/options that are extended in his contract at Red Bull Racing. This also pushes Heidfeld into drivers no-mans land, which is somewhat disappointing because many feel that while he has not always had the most flattering results in the series, that he is a bona fide competitor and that he could without a doubt be a solid contributor to any team in search of winning the constructor’s title. Stay tuned to cheddarbomb.wordpress.com for an upcoming breakdown of Teams and their driver selection to date.

Mercedes Loves Germans

You rock, Eddie, you rock!

Eddie Jordan é um sujeito boa praça, e o que há de melhor na transmissão da F-1 na BBC. Um contraponto perfeito para a insipidez de David Coulthard e o nacionalismo extremado de Martin Brundle. Quando, no meio desta semana, Eddie anunciou que Michael Schumacher poderia retornar à F-1 pelas mãos da Mercedes, vibrei. Gostaria muito, assim como o próprio Eddie, que o alemão retornasse. Sua simples presença, competitiva ou não, traria um charme todo especial ao campeonato de 2010.

O queixudo, porém, não vem. A Mercedes-Benz, neste sábado, deixou claro que não está negociando com o heptacampeão e que a chance de ele guiar para a Cometa GP em 2010 é zero. É pena, porque a segunda vaga vai acabar ficando com o mega sem graça Nick Heidfeld – e, atenção, não estou dizendo que ele não seja competente, apenas que é sem graça.

Claro que uns poderão dizer que a Mercedes está despistando e que o alemão tem chances, sim, de retornar, mas acreditem, meus caros: o cara não volta. Infelizmente.

As opções para o segundo cockpit da Cometa GP são interessantes, pois trata-se de um time que deverá apresentar um carro competitivo. Ao lado de Red Bull, McLaren e Ferrari, deve ser uma das forças do campeonato. O piloto que lá se sentar (ao lado de Nico Rosberg) será, de cara, um privilegiado. Pela lógica, a vaga tinha de ser de Robert Kubica, mas o polonês se amarrou à Renault e dançou. Heidfeld, portanto, parece ser a opção natural para o time alemão – é bom desenvolvedor da carros e é consistente, batendo muito pouco – embora seja pouco agressivo. A agressividade, porém, ficaria a cargo de Rosberg.

Trocando em miúdos, não seria uma dupla fraca não. Rosberg e Heidfeld podem dar muito trabalho aos demais, se o carro da Cometa for bom como o de 2009.

E vocês? Quem gostariam de ver no segundo cockpit da Cometa?

Um ótimo fim de semana para todos!

“Acho que terei uma boa chance de ter um carro muito competitivo”, diz

Perto de ser confirmado como piloto da Mercedes nos próximos dias, Nico Rosberg afirmou que espera “pelo menos” vencer em 2010.

O alemão, que sempre competiu pela Williams desde que estreou, em 2006, admitiu a jornalistas durante um evento em Hungaroring que procura um desafio diferente.

“Mudar é bom, eu acho“, disse. “Estive na Williams por quatro anos e é bom para mim ver algo diferente. Isso me dará a oportunidade para ver como outra equipe trabalhava, além de me desenvolver como piloto.”

“E também quero ter a oportunidade de dar o próximo passo para ter um carro que posso vencer. Estou ansioso para o próximo ano, e acho que terei uma boa chance de ter um carro muito competitivo”, afirmou.

Mesmo sem ser confirmado pela Mercedes, Rosberg mostrou interesse nos nomes que podem correr no time, como Kimi Raikkonen. “É ótimo ter alguém que não é egocêntrico e que pense só em si”, completou o filho do campeão mundial de 1982, Keke Rosberg.

[Fonte: tazio.uol.com.br]

Nico Rosberg, who is expected to be confirmed as a Mercedes driver in the next few days, says he wants “to win races at least” in 2010.

The German has only raced for Williams since entering Formula 1 in 2006, and he admitted he was now looking for a different challange as well as a quicker car.

“First of all change is good I think,” Rosberg told journalists during a PR event for Allianz at the Hungaroring on Friday. “I’ve been at Williams for four years and it’s good for me to see something else.

“That will give me the opportunity to see how another team works, and also develop as a driver. And I also wanted to have the opportunity to make the next step to get a car with which I can win races.

“I’m looking forward to next year, because I’m changing teams, and I think I will have a good chance of doing well and having a very competitive car, wherever I’ll be driving.”

Although there are some doubts whether 2009 title rivals Red Bull and Brawn GP, soon to be transformed into a Mercedes factory team after the manufacturer bought a 75.1 per cent stake, will be able to maintain their strong form next season, Rosberg is convinced they should stay near the top.

“I am pretty sure that teams like Ferrari, McLaren, Brawn, which became Mercedes GP of course, and Red Bull will still be at the front next year,” he said. “But I’m not sure who will be the fastest.

“Ferrari and McLaren [could be] because they’ve been there in the past and I think they can get back up there, and Brawn and Red Bull because they have done a very good job this year, and not only at the beginning, but developing through the season as well.

“They still had the fastest car at the end of the year. And they are very strong teams, with very competent people, so I’m convinced they’ll be able to do it.”

Rosberg admitted he found world champion Jenson Button’s decision to leave Brawn GP for McLaren “a bit surprising and [an] interesting step.”

Kimi Raikkonen’s management has indicated that the Finn would be interested in the vacant Mercedes GP seat, and although Rosberg did not name his personal preferences, he did not deny he was interested in the identity of his team-mate.

“In some ways yes, of course,” he said. “Why? It’s nice to have someone you can get on with, it’s nice to have someone who isn’t a completely egocentric person that just thinks about himself and tries to trick the other driver, because there is lots work you have to do together.”

Rosberg also talked about the important rule changes for 2010, saying the ban on refuelling after sixteen seasons was a positive step for Formula 1.

“I think one of the main things that’s going to change is that everything will be safer for us drivers. Also for the people in the pitlane, the engineers, the mechanics, who are all standing there with the fuel rigs and everything,” he said.

“As we saw in Brazil this year, a couple of weeks ago, one car left with a fuel hose, and it made a huge fire on the car behind with Kimi. That’s a very, very dangerous situation. It’s a nice step in terms of safety to be able to avoid these sorts of incidents in the future.”

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Reference Source: Autosport.com

Team GB

Despite Mercedes buying out Brawn GP to create Mercedes GP, and despite Mercedes’ promise to shareholders and fans alike that it would be back to back championships, the interweb has been abuzz with numerous rumours that the 2009 drivers champ, Jenson Button, was ditching his championship team and heading to (less?) greener pastures. Those wild rumours have been put to rest as McLaren and Button have announced their partnership for the 2010 season. This begs all sorts of unresolved questions. First off… Astonishing, no? What does all of this mean for Lewis Hamilton… is there another driver controversy brewing in the British Midlands… didnt McLaren learn from the Alonso-Hamilton misfire that two drivers of equal talent cant possibly co-exist at the same stall? Just thinking about it makes me wish Australia was just around the corner.

So lets, think about this for a moment… who is driving for Mercedes now?? Barrichello was the first to bolt and now Button has left the BAR replacement. So without any true championship caliber drivers, how exactly does the German stall plan to deliver on their lofty promise of a repeat championship. Why by installing two German drivers of course. Both Nick Heidfeld and Nico Rosberg are tipped to be the 1-2 drives for next year’s squad, though nothing is 100% squared away just yet. There is still a lonely Finn out there who might be the right man for the job, should he decide he can afford a pay cut from 20 million pounds to 6 million pounds for the season.

The Sweet Nectar of Victory

However, considering the financial sticking point and Kimi’s notorious stubbornness, the Button move will likely push the once highly sought after Kimi Raikkonen into no-mans land. Its been a “hard” road for the Finn who could never quite get it done with McLaren, then won a driver’s title with Ferrari, got bumped from Ferrari in favour of driving enemy no 1, Fernando Alonso, returned to McLaren, only to be bumped by driving enemy no 2… Jenson Button?? Based on the personnel changes in F1 thus far it seems more and more certain that the 2010 season will find Kimi without a drive for the first time,  in a very long time. Oh well Kimi, I hear Le Mans is… wait… its too funny to even consider. I doubt you will be able to make anywhere close to 6 mill on the 24 hour circuit, let alone the rally series you are considering. So Kimi… see you in 2011. I hear that Red Bull might have a spot open.