Nico Rosberg says he’s ready to challenge Hamilton at Mercedes in 2013
Nico Rosberg is eagerly anticipating Lewis Hamilton's arrival at Mercedes next year. The German, who had already teamed up with the Brit in karting, also confirms that he will be able to compete on equal terms with the 2008 world champion.
After spending three seasons alongside the experienced Michael Schumacher, seven-time world champion, Nico Rosberg will team up, starting in 2013, with another world champion, in the person of Lewis Hamilton, whose arrival at Brackley was officially announced last Friday.
If some expect the German to encounter a much tougher challenge with Lewis Hamilton than with Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg feels ready for the challenge: “I know the situation. For three years, I had Michael [Schumacher], one of the fastest drivers in the world, as a teammate. I’ve always been comfortable with that. Lewis [Hamilton]’s arrival is a challenge and I willingly accept it,” the German states in the columns of the Bild. “Lewis is one of the best drivers right now, but I believe I am up to the task.”
The two men have already rubbed shoulders within the same racing team in karting, where the Briton claimed the title of European champion in Formula A in 2000, right under the German’s nose. Both drivers then began their careers in single-seaters, crossing paths again in 2004 in the F3 Euroseries championship, where the German edged out the Briton by two points to take fourth place overall. For the past six seasons, the two have been battling in Formula One, but Nico Rosberg does not hide his eagerness to team up with Hamilton again: « It’s a new duel for us.
The son of the 1982 world champion also expects to be able to fight on equal terms with Lewis Hamilton, as recently confirmed by Ross Brawn: « It is written in my contract that I will always have the same opportunities as my teammate, no matter who it is. »
