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Rosberg Will Test Car Ahead of Schumacher

Although Michael Schumacher hasn't raced at competitive level in Formula One for the last 3 years, it appears the German will not be the first of the Mercedes driver to take the 2010 challenger for a drive during the first testing session of the winter, in Valencia. The FIA ban for testing expires on January 31st, after which all teams are scheduled to test their cars on the Ricardo Tormo Circuit starting February 1st.

Talking to the Salzburger Nachrichten the other day, Schumacher's teammate for the upcoming few years (hopefully) Nico Rosberg confirmed that his first test with Mercedes' 2010 challenger will happen on the first day of testing, meaning he'll take the wheel of the car prior to his 41-year old partner.

The first of February,” answered Rosberg when asked about his first day of testing for his new team.

While admitting that he is “convinced that Michael has not lost his speed,” Rosberg insisted that he'll fight like hell for the championship next year, despite the fact that most of the F1 pundits don't give him a change against Schu in 2010.

Of course I want to beat any teammate, that's the direct confrontation, the driver has the same equipment. A little egotism is involved here,” added Rosberg in the aforementioned interview.

Battling against Schumacher will certainly not be an easy task for young Rosberg, and former Grand Prix winner Gerhard Berger reckons that Rosberg would be a “superstar” if he'll manage to outscore his teammate next season.

It is not possible for him to make up for Michael's advantage in terms of experience, political ability and confidence at the first attempt. Michael knows how to build the team around him. And now he has his old partner Ross Brawn at his side again,” said Berger in an interview with Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, as reported by the GMM news agency.
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