Brawn Backs Rosberg for Mercedes Future

Michael Schumacher might have been the big story for Mercedes GP at their return in Formula 1 as a full works team, but their future lies in Nico Rosberg. At least that's the admission of the Brackley based team's boss Ross Brawn, who sees a great future for the 25-year old with the German carmaker.

Rosberg first stepped into F1 in 2006 with Williams F1, but left Grove for a better shot at the title with Mercedes GP last year (or so he thought). In his first season with Mercedes, he scored 70 points more than 7-time world champion Michael Schumacher, but only managed some 3 podiums for 7th place in the overall classification.

Needless to say, the son of former world champion Keke Rosberg expects more from his Merc stint, as he has two more years of contract with the German carmaker. According to Brawn however, the team would like to have him for a longer period of time, as Rosberg is “extremely talented” and “he has all the qualities needed by a world champion.”

“It is very important that we have drivers like Nico Rosberg with us in the long term,” said Brawn, according to Germany's Sport Bild. “I would be very happy if our relationship with Nico continues for a long time.”

For the time being, both Rosberg and Michael Schumacher are racing for the German maker on a 3-year contract basis, meaning both deals will expire at the same time. While this may be looked upon as a first hint that Rosberg will be offered an extension sometime this year (or through the 2012 campaign), we're not sure what Brawn's comments represent for Schumacher.