The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : I can be as good as dad: Nico Rosberg

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 04, 2005

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Sport - Racing : Motor

I can be as good as dad: Nico Rosberg

LONDON : New Williams signing Nico Rosberg says he can be as good as his world champion father Keke and win more races.

Rosberg senior was the first Finn to take the Formula One title, also with Williams in 1982, but ended his career in 1986 with just five wins from 114 starts.

``I hope I can top that count,'' Nico, who was born in Germany and races under that country's flag, said in an interview.

His reply, when asked whether he could be as good, was unhesitating. ``Definitely. And I'm going to work very hard to be as good as he was, although I don't really want to compare myself to him,'' he said.

``But maybe to his achievements I can compare, because he has achieved the top in motorsports and that's my dream too. I'll work my very best to get there.''

Rosberg, who will partner Australian Mark Webber when the 2006 season starts in Bahrain in March, won the inaugural GP2 junior series this year while also testing for Williams.

Born the year before his father left Formula One, Nico grew up watching Keke racing in the German DTM touring car championship in the 1990s.

Fascinating

``It's always fascinated me; the whole sport, the cars, the technical side, the atmosphere, even the fans and the way that you are entertaining people,'' he said.

``Ever since, I have wanted to become a Formula One driver myself one day — and be a great Formula One driver.''

Rosberg, who is fluent in four languages and shelved a university engineering course to concentrate full time on racing, knows his name will put him in the spotlight.

``It's always been the same for me throughout my career. It's always been 'So, how's your dad?' and 'So, how it is it to be the son of?' and things like that,'' he said.

``By now I've really got used to it and I'm also proud to have such a father. — Reuters

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