Guest Author - Christine Blachford

Name: Nico Rosberg
Date of Birth: 27th June 1985
Place of Birth: Wiesbaden, Germany
F1 Debut: Bahrain 2006

Rosberg is a truly international driver. His father, Keke Rosberg, a former World Champion, is Finnish, Nico was born in Germany, but grew up and lives in Monaco. He has dual nationality for both Finland and Germany but races under the German flag. He speaks the language fluently, along with English, Italian and French, and he is busy learning Finnish as well.

Rosberg may or may not have been given chances because of the success of the family name, but he has certainly proved his worth as he moved through the lower formulae. He won the Formula BMW championship in 2002, went on to the Formula Three Euroseries, and then up to the GP2 series – which he won.

He was granted a test session with Williams in 2004, and by 2006 he was confirmed as their new driver. On his first race, he finished in the points, and scored the fastest lap, breaking the record for the youngest driver to do so. He has continued to score points and outperform his teammates, with the latest podium finish in Singapore 2008. He also led the race at one point, which was the first time in his career. He also suffered a high speed crash in Monaco, in which he was kept in hospital overnight for observation. He was unhurt though, and was back in the car by the next race weekend.

Rosberg has shown immense loyalty to the Williams team, despite the car being frustrating at times. He is under contract with them until the end of the 2009 season, and although he has said he wants to stay with Williams for as long as possible, there’s no doubt he may get a better offer.

The new regulations will prove one way or the other whether Williams can regain their form this season, and return to the championship winning car they have previously been. Rosberg will want to be with them when they do, but he doesn’t want to be loyal to a team that are not going to make it. Compared to teammate Nakajima, Rosberg has plenty of experience, knows how to set up a car, and is a great asset to Williams. He is very marketable, good looking and easy going when it comes to PR exercises. Williams need to produce a competitive car, or they risk losing a driver with strong potential.