Oct.29 (GMM) Norbert Haug has kept speculation high by hinting that Mercedes is set to appoint a German driver.
It is strongly believed in F1 circles that Nico Rosberg, who is German despite the fact his famous father Keke is from Finland, will sign with either Brawn or McLaren for 2010.
Both teams are powered by Mercedes; McLaren as the Stuttgart manufacturer’s current works team, and Brawn rumoured to be on the verge of a 75 per cent Mercedes buyout.
Rosberg, 24, was strongly linked with McLaren earlier this year, but hinting further at the British team’s impending estrangement from Mercedes is the fact that Kimi Raikkonen is thought closer to becoming Lewis Hamilton’s new teammate.
Haug, Mercedes’ competition director, is quoted as having said this week by Sport Bild: “If there is the possibility of having a good German driver, then we will.”
In interview with Auto Motor und Sport this week, Rosberg acknowledged the possibility that Abu Dhabi will be his last of 70 career grands prix at the wheel of a Williams.
“If I was to change (teams), it would be a difficult situation in Abu Dhabi.
“I get along superbly with everyone in the (Williams) team, and during my time there were no large personnel changes,” he added.
