Nico Rosberg will remain with Mercedes AMG PETRONAS for the 2017 and 2018 Formula 1 seasons after signing his new contract.
For several months, there has been talks between the team and Rosberg about a new deal but nothing had been confirmed. On Friday morning before first practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Mercedes confirmed the news on Twitter.
Revealing that the new deal will secure Rosberg’s career in Formula 1 until 2018. The new contract means the German will continue to partner current team-mate Lewis Hamilton as both Rosberg’s and Hamilton’s contracts with the German outfit runs for another two years.
Rosberg has been with Mercedes since their return to the sport in 2010 and has scored nineteen Grand Prix wins and twenty-five pole positions. Currently, he is leading the 2016 Driver Standings ahead of Hamilton by one point, with a total of 168 points for Mercedes, with five victories to his name so far this season.
Mercedes now joins Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari in confirming their 2017 driver line-ups. Ferrari will retain their 2016 drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen while Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen will remain at Red Bull. Sahara Force India are also set to retain their current driver line-up of Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg, but question marks remain over the other teams on the grid.
