Nico Rosberg Q&A: Staying is logical - Mercedes are going places
After signing a multi-year extension to his contract with Mercedes, Nico Rosberg is in a positive frame of mind. It's not surprising, as with technical heavyweights Geoff Willis and Aldo Costa recently joining their ranks, the German team are plotting a successful future. Rosberg discusses his decision and his hopes for next season and beyond…
Q: Nico, you’ve just signed a multi-year contract extension with Mercedes. How does it feel?
Nico Rosberg: Well, we’ve been discussing it for a long time and it feels good to know now that it is done and dusted. I can now fully concentrate on helping to push this team forward. When all the new people came on board over the course of the summer it was very obvious that this team is fully committed to becoming the best in F1. I want to be a part of that project and help lead this team into a bright future.
Q: Jenson Button recently signed a multi-year deal. Was he some sort of role model for you?
NR: No, but I looked at my situation and I believe that this team will transform into a fantastic thing, so there was every reason for me to commit in the long term.
Q: The team seem very committed to improving. Was that a factor in your decision?
NR: Yes definitely - it was a key factor. With all the new people joining I saw that this team is really taking care of business so it was logical to stay.
Q: Was there a temptation to look around?
NR: That was never part of my reasoning because it is here with Mercedes where I want to be. A little bit of patience is probably still needed but there is no doubt in my mind that we are heading into great times.
Q: How much patience?
NR: I would say that right now it will be a lot of patience. But there is no doubt in my mind that it is absolutely worth it! I am sure that next year will be much more enjoyable.
Q: But there were rumours of you moving to Ferrari? At the time you responded to those rumours with a very discreet smile…
NR: Yes, because at that time the contract was already done. That is why I followed all the speculations with a smirk.
Q: But now that it is all signed can you tell us if there were other options available to you?
NR: I was in a good negotiating position but my absolute priority was to stay with Mercedes and I was happy when the ink on the contract was dry. That’s as much as I can say.Q: Returning to your immediate future, what do you expect this weekend?
NR: I am pretty optimistic as this track should suit us better, even though it is very unlikely that we will be able to beat the top three teams. Good position should be within reach and that is exactly what we are aiming at.
Credit: Formula One Administration Ltd (www.formula1.com)
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