- 23 Nov 09, 10:13#171685
In about two hours then.... and i'm very intrigued because of this:
Mercedes to name first driver today
By Pablo Elizalde Monday, November 23rd 2009, 09:42 GMT
The new Mercedes Grand Prix team is set to confirm its first driver for the 2010 season, with Nico Rosberg the main favourite for the seat.
The German car maker bought a majority stake in the Brawn GP team last week and is renaming the team in order to race under its own name from the 2010 season.
Since world champion Jenson Button left for McLaren, Mercedes GP has been linked with an all-German line-up for next year, and Rosberg looks set to be confirmed.
Nick Heidfeld has been linked with the second drive.
Mercedes GP is holding a press conference today at 1pm CET to announce its first driver, in a press conference with Norbert Haug and Nick Fry.
In about two hours then.... and i'm very intrigued because of this:
Mercedes' 2010 lineup to 'surprise' - Haug
With Mercedes taking control of the successful Brawn GP outfit, and with Nico Rosberg highly expected to take over one cockpit, there remains one very attractive race seat available at this year's championship-winning team.
Norbert Haug has passed up an opportunity to clearly rule out some scenarios, including rumours which say that Michael Schumacher is set to make a sensational return to full-time Formula One racing.
Amid speculation that the almost 41-year-old will join Rosberg in an all-German 2010 lineup for Mercedes GP, the marque's competition director remarked: "You might be surprised.
"I'm pretty sure you and your readers will like our choice," Haug told Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper.
When asked specifically about the Schumacher rumours, he added: "There is always speculation in this sport, especially when cockpits have not yet been filled.
"And there are dreams, and that's a good thing. Fulfilling these dreams is another thing."
When told by the Sunday newspaper that German fans are expecting a German superteam, Haug added: "You seem to know more than I do. And with all due respect, I don't think so."
Haug was also asked about rumours linking Adrian Sutil with a Mercedes seat, and he answered: "We have agreed confidentiality with all the drivers with whom we are speaking. "
Also on Sunday, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone played down the prospect of a return for Schumacher, the most successful driver in the history of the sport.
"It's most unlikely," he said on BBC radio Five Live's Sportsweek. "I don't see any reason why he should (return) and I have not heard anything at all.
"I would be very doubtful," the 79-year-old added.
Schumacher's official spokeswoman Sabine Kehm said: "There are no negotiations going on."
There has also been speculation that Kimi Raikkonen - currently set to take a sabbatical in 2010 and looking at World Rally Championship opportunities - now appears on Mercedes' list.
However the Finn indicated recently: "No, I have not held talks with Brawn. I feel they will run two German drivers next year now that Mercedes are involved."
Rising number one of Formula 1, Juan - Juan, one wonders should Juan only win one Formula 1 one year, would Juan have won that one in round one, Juan??
