Rosberg leaving Williams

[Ian Poole]

Report courtesy of BBC Sport

Nico Rosberg has revealed that he is leaving Williams at the end of the season, with the German driver expected to race for Brawn GP in 2010.

The 24-year-old would not comment when asked to confirm that he had done a deal with Brawn's engine supplier Mercedes, which had secured him a seat.

"It is my last race for Williams so it's a bit strange," he said, ahead of Sunday's final 2009 race in Abu Dhabi.

Rosberg is likely to swap places with Brawn's veteran Rubens Barrichello.

"I've been with the team for five years," added Rosberg.

"They're the only team, I've worked with. [Team boss] Frank Williams, especially, [chief executive] Adam Parr, [technical director] Sam Michael, [co-owner] Patrick Head have really supported my career over these years and I'd like to say a very big thank you to them.

"There's no reason why they can't be as good as this year (next year). But I'm not sure they can win races at the moment, and I would like to win races.

"It's been a good season because the team gave me a good car it was an opportunity to raise my share value and to find a winning car for next year."

In August, Rosberg put himself forward as a potential team-mate for world champion Lewis Hamilton at McLaren if Heikki Kovalainen left.

But with German car giant Mercedes interested in purchasing a considerable stake in the Brawn team, it is believed they want a native driver to drive for the new world champions.

Mercedes are said to be looking at buying a stake of as much as 75% in Brawn.

If that deal goes through, it is considered likely that Mercedes would sell the 40% stake in McLaren it has owned since 1999.

But in that event, it is understood that Mercedes would continue as McLaren's engine supplier.

A McLaren spokesman denied on Thursday rumours claiming the team might buy BMW's engine project following its decision to quit F1 at the end of the season.

"Stories linking McLaren to any deal concerning BMW's engine operation are complete rubbish," he told BBC Sport.

BMW motorsport boss Mario Theissen echoed McLaren's denial.

Rosberg has landed two podium finishes in his 69-race career, but just missed out on improving that record this season with fourth places in both Germany and Hungary.

Barrichello, who was Jenson Button's main challenger for the 2009 world title before his team-mate clinched the crown at the last race in Brazil, has been in talks with Williams over a one-year deal.

So that is that confirmed but is it going to be Brawn or McLaren?

 

[TS]

Lewis Hamilton is probably hoping it's McLaren, but it's most likely Brawn.

 

[Omnis]

Good. Get him in a good car and see what he can do.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Already in silly season thread.

Williams are said to be announcing their driver line-up on Monday. Yes, I know that has nothing to do with Rosberg leaving them, but all the same.

 

[SUPER NUMBBER]

Here's hoping it's McLaren. Can't wait.

 

[NapoleonMikey]

Here's hoping it's McLaren. Can't wait.

That would be nice because I really cant see why they would want to hold on to Kovalinen. They need to get someone in there who will be consistent and score points and be able to assist his teammate if needed. Kovalinen is just to inconsistent to do that.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

That would be nice because I really cant see why they would want to hold on to Kovalinen. They need to get someone in there who will be consistent and score points and be able to assist his teammate if needed. Kovalinen is just to inconsistent to do that.

Okay, so if McLaren take Rosberg, Raikkonen makes it clear that McLaren is his only option (and duly misses out) and Barrichello goes to Williams, who is going to be Brawn's other driver? Christian Klien?

 

[NapoleonMikey]

Okay, so if McLaren take Rosberg, Raikkonen makes it clear that McLaren is his only option (and duly misses out) and Barrichello goes to Williams, who is going to be Brawn's other driver? Christian Klien?

Well seeing as I would like to see Raikkonen go to WRC that's not a problem for me, but I'm not to worried about who Brawn will choose as its second driver. they are keeping button so I'm going to say that there's a good chance it will be a rookie seeing as some of the experienced guys that aren't so high on the food chain will go to the new teams to drive as the main driver which is probably where Kovalinen will end up if no one else takes him. Hell theres a choice for Brawn's number 2.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Kovalainen at Brawn? Are you mad?

 

[Ardius]

Kovalainen to Toyota has been mooted on the BBC commentary - seeing as they have effectively destroyed their relationships with their current drivers and Raikkonen isn't interested.

 

[Ian Poole]

Kovalainen at Brawn? Are you mad?

I think he is

 

[SUPER NUMBBER]

Raikkonen is too spoiled. McLaren are under no obligation to give him a seat just because he says they're his only option. Take what you can get Kimi; there's a reason why you're looking for work now.

 

[Only_in_f1]

Kimi at Mclaren was a joy to watch. I think he was more deserving of the title at McLaren then when he did win at Ferrari but watch some videos of him at Kimi its brilliant to watch.