Rosberg begins 2017 talks (5th Update)
With his negotiations being headed by family friend Gerhard Berger, Rosberg was said to be butting heads with Mercedes not only over money, but also the length of his contract extension beyond 2016.
But as the German prepared to celebrate his 31st birthday with his wife Vivian in Ibiza, Rosberg was surprised when Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda walked into their ice-cream parlor 'Vivi's Creamery' with his own wife.
Vivi's Creamery published a photo of the visit on its Facebook page, while Bild newspaper explained that Lauda had taken his new boat to Ibiza on its maiden voyage.
After enjoying an ice-cream, Lauda said: "We are quite agreed on a new two-year contract.
"The details have yet to be worked out."
Asked if a new contract is Rosberg's birthday present, the F1 legend smiled: "No, he has earned it."
06/18/16
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| Rosberg won't win another race until his new deal is sealed |
(GMM) Nico Rosberg and Mercedes are now edging close to agreeing a new contract for 2017 and beyond.
That is the claim of the German newspaper Kolner Express, revealing that family friend Gerhard Berger's efforts to negotiate on the 30-year-old's behalf are paying off.
One suggestion is that Mercedes may have sped up efforts to close the deal as Rosberg's big points lead over Lewis Hamilton is eroded, indicating the German may be struggling to cope with the title chase and the contract talks.
"No, first of all he had a brilliant adviser who is pretty experienced in negotiating good contacts, and that was very clever because he took himself out of it," team boss Toto Wolff said in Baku.
Kolner Express claims a two-year deal with a significant salary increase – from EUR 18 million a year to EUR 25m – is in the offing, with Wolff quoted as saying: "We are on the right track."
The newspaper even quoted Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda as confidently predicting: "Nico will drive for us next year."
05/23/16
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| Niki Lauda laughs at idea Rosberg would move to drive an inferior car |
(GMM) Niki Lauda has played down rumors Nico Rosberg might be contemplating a switch to Ferrari for 2017.
After the Spanish grand prix, the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera claimed Rosberg was "flirting with Ferrari" as his current Mercedes contract expires.
"As long as he is not flirting with me," Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who has made clear he would prefer Kimi Raikkonen to stay, joked last week in Barcelona.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, however, thinks the fact there is speculation about Ferrari's interest in Rosberg should be no surprise.
"From their view, it would make sense," he is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.
But Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda insisted: "We have everything under control.
"Why would Rosberg go to Ferrari when Vettel has been there already for two years and knows everything about the team? In that case he would always be second," the F1 legend added.
05/19/16 (GMM) The big rumor swirling in F1 circles at present is whether Nico Rosberg is really contemplating a switch from Mercedes for 2017.
Italy's Corriere della Sera claims talks between the championship leader and Ferrari are underway.
When asked about that as he departed the Barcelona test, Rosberg said: "I feel very good at Mercedes, but let's see what the future holds."
A move to Ferrari would create a German 'super team' at the very Italian Ferrari, and Rosberg said his relationship with Sebastian Vettel is "normal".
It is probably better, however, than his current relationship with Lewis Hamilton, particularly after their first-lap crash in the Spanish grand prix.
"It's always hard when you're fighting for the championship for three years," Rosberg explained.
"On the other hand it's fun too because we push each other. Sunday of course didn't go well, but our relationship will remain the same as before," he is quoted by the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat.
The F1 world did not get to see Mercedes' race pace last Sunday, but the Spanish grand prix did show that Red Bull has now joined Ferrari as a true challenger.
"For sure we need to keep a close eye on our competitors, which are Ferrari and Red Bull. But I believe we will also be fast in Monaco, so it's ok," Rosberg smiled.
05/18/16
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| Maurizio Arrivabene |
(GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene said it is premature for Ferrari to be embroiled in the 2017 driver 'silly season'.
Italy's Corriere della Sera this week has suggested talks between the famous Maranello team and Mercedes' championship leader Nico Rosberg have begun.
"Bottas, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, there are so many good drivers in formula one," team boss Arrivabene is quoted as saying by Speed Week.
"But it would be completely wrong to circulate names," he insisted. "We concentrate on Kimi and hope that everything continues to go as it has."
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| Rosberg would leave the best car in F1 for a 3rd-row team? Doubtful, it's just strategy to get the biggest deal from Mercedes he can get. Hamilton is getting paid much more and Rosberg is just as fast now. |
05/17/16 (GMM) Championship leader Nico Rosberg is fast becoming a key to the 2017 'silly season'.
In Barcelona, Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche announced that the on-form German is in fact "under contract" for next year.
But that might not quite be true, as Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff declared on Monday that Fernando Alonso might be a target for the future.
"Fernando is one of the best drivers in history and I like his character, but our priority now is Nico," he told El Mundo.
"If he (Rosberg) does not want to renew, then we will consider other options, like Fernando," Wolff added.
Now, Italy's Corriere della Sera is reporting that talks between Ferrari and Rosberg, the winner of seven consecutive grands prix until last Sunday, have begun.
Correspondent Giorgio Terruzzi said Ferrari's new interest in Rosberg is powered by moves at other top teams to spice up their respective drivers' lineups.
Red Bull has Max Verstappen, McLaren will reportedly sign up Stoffel Vandoorne for 2017, and so officials at Ferrari believe "36-year-old Kimi, though well-liked by most in the team, is considered too inconsistent".
"On the contrary, it seems Rosberg in his full maturity is always fast, strengthened by his difficult experience at Hamilton's side."
Terruzzi also said Mercedes "would be weakened by his (Rosberg's) departure, especially if he wins the title in 2016".