Mercedes say that Nico Rosberg has a "long-term relationship" with the team
German understood to have signed new two-year contract pre-season
By Mike Wise in Monaco
Last Updated: 24/05/14 11:44am
Reports have claimed that Rosberg, who is currently battling Hamilton at the top of the Drivers' Championship, has extended his stay until the end of 2016. The German joined five seasons ago and his contract was due to expire at the end of the year.
However, news of the German's future plans have been circulating for some time and it is understood that Rosberg in fact put pen to paper on the deal pre-season.
Regardless, the fact that Mercedes have admitted that both their drivers will stay at Brackley for the long-term demonstrates their belief that, in Hamilton and Rosberg, they have the best pairing on the grid.
It might also help quell speculation that Fernando Alonso might come on board. Speaking at the recent Spanish GP, team boss Toto Wolff played the rumour down, although recent comments by Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche that the double World Champion is the best F1 driver of all have create a ripple of interest in recent days.
The fact Zetsche heaped praise on Alonso in Spain - and in the presence of King Juan Carlos - suggests they might be taken with a pinch of salt, but they certainly registered with Alonso, who is currently resigning himself to a prolonged barren spell at Ferrari.
With Hamilton in year two of a three-year deal and Rosberg now in situ until 2016, then it appears that the door to Brackley will stay shut for the 32-year-old, who appears increasingly destined to live up to his public pledge of seeing out his F1 career with the Scuderia.
