German driver Nico Rosberg has said that he has a better status at the German team, Mercedes, after the departure of seven time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher. The former Ferrari driver recently announced his retirement for the second time from the sport. He was replaced by McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton, who is a great friend of Rosberg. Even though Rosberg acknowledged that it was a great lesson to be a teammate of Michael Schumacher, it did not help him have any influence on the team. He believes that his improved positioning in the team may help Mercedes win more races in the future.
The German team has had a tough return to the sport after several years away from it. Even with the likes of Schumacher and Ross Brawn at the helm, they were unable to put together a winning team. As a result, they have brought in the 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton in the hope of reviving their fortunes. So far, it has been a good start to the 2013 season, but Rosberg reckons that there is still a long way to go before the teams capable of challenging for the titles. The Mercedes technical director recently revealed that the team is working hard to challenge for the title in the 2014 season.
“I now have a stronger voice. And to me that’s a beautiful process in which I can help Mercedes become the best team. Sure [the title is] the big goal, but now I want to win races, because success is the most fun … We want to improve ourselves – in the direction of race wins,” said Rosberg, who has made an indifferent start to the season. He almost made it into the podium at the Malaysian Grand Prix, but he has also had two retirements as well.
