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SINGAPORE - Nico Rosberg, 27, has dealt a blow to the Lewis Hamilton saga by insisting he is definitely staying at Mercedes next year.
He also wants his current team mate, Michael Schumacher, to stays with the UK-based team in 2013.
According to intense media speculation, Briton Hamilton is weighing up a big monetary offer to join Mercedes in 2013. Some have surmised that Rosberg could move to McLaren to replace the 2008 World champion, others think Hamilton's move would push Schumacher back into retirement.
'RIGHT IF HE STAYS'
Rosberg told the DAPD news agency: "I'm definitely with the Silver Arrows (Mercedes) and I'm looking forward to getting some more race wins next season."
As for Schumacher's uncertain future, Rosberg added: "I think it would be right if he stays. We get along well, the competition between us is good, Michael is still at a very, very high level and it's a real challenge to race against him.
"We push the team forwards well."
But Rosberg also acknowledged that Schumacher was one of the keys to the 2013 driver market. "Not much will happen until Schumacher, Hamilton or Massa are able to say 'I'm definitely here'," he explained.
'RIGHT IF HE STAYS'
Meanwhile, Schumacher's former manager insists he has not given any hint about plans beyond 2013.
Willi Weber was the architect of the great German's new 7.5-million euro personal sponsorship with a Chinese company which has caused some to surmise that Schumacher must be staying in F1 beyond 2012 but Weber told Auto Bild Motorsport:
"The (sponsor) contract is independent of any driving contract."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2012 Singapore F1 GP weekend.
He also wants his current team mate, Michael Schumacher, to stays with the UK-based team in 2013.
According to intense media speculation, Briton Hamilton is weighing up a big monetary offer to join Mercedes in 2013. Some have surmised that Rosberg could move to McLaren to replace the 2008 World champion, others think Hamilton's move would push Schumacher back into retirement.
'RIGHT IF HE STAYS'
Rosberg told the DAPD news agency: "I'm definitely with the Silver Arrows (Mercedes) and I'm looking forward to getting some more race wins next season."
As for Schumacher's uncertain future, Rosberg added: "I think it would be right if he stays. We get along well, the competition between us is good, Michael is still at a very, very high level and it's a real challenge to race against him.
"We push the team forwards well."
But Rosberg also acknowledged that Schumacher was one of the keys to the 2013 driver market. "Not much will happen until Schumacher, Hamilton or Massa are able to say 'I'm definitely here'," he explained.
'RIGHT IF HE STAYS'
Meanwhile, Schumacher's former manager insists he has not given any hint about plans beyond 2013.
Willi Weber was the architect of the great German's new 7.5-million euro personal sponsorship with a Chinese company which has caused some to surmise that Schumacher must be staying in F1 beyond 2012 but Weber told Auto Bild Motorsport:
"The (sponsor) contract is independent of any driving contract."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2012 Singapore F1 GP weekend.