Championship leader Nico Rosberg has committed his immediate future to Mercedes, agreeing a multi-year extension with the outfit.
The deal is believed to cover the next three seasons with a reported worth of €55 million.
The news coincides with his and the team’s home event, the German Grand Prix, taking place this weekend at Hockenheim.
Rosberg didn’t pass on the opportunity to emphasise his patriotism in the wake of teammate Lewis Hamilton’s claims that he is more Monegasque than German, having spent the majority of his life in the principality, declaring “As a German, the heritage of Mercedes-Benz is very special for me.”
The German has been with the Silver Arrows since their acquisition of Brawn GP at the conclusion of 2009.
Rosberg has led the standings this season following all but one of nine events, presently four points clear of Hamilton.
Prior to the British Grand Prix, the German had finished in the top two at each event to lead by 29 points, but the first retirement of his campaign and Hamilton’s subsequent victory has the championship race alive once more.
Each of Rosberg’s six victories to date have come during his Mercedes tenure, the first coming at the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix, having waited 111 Grands Prix for the privilege.
Indeed, he was unlucky not to have won the infamous 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, where he finished second to Fernando Alonso, the Spaniard having benefitted from a deliberate crash and subsequent safety car triggered by teammate, Nelson Piquet
Rosberg made his debut in 2006 with Williams, finishing seventh and claiming the fastest lap at his first race.
The German remained there for the next four seasons, enjoying several podium appearances with the limited packages at his disposal, and he was more than ready to make a step up by the time of his move.
Rosberg’s stock rose considerably as a result of defeating seven-time champion Michael Schumacher during each of their three seasons as teammates, but it has been since Hamilton’s arrival that he has earned genuine recognition.
The appraisal even caused some to reconsider the success of Schumacher’s comeback, with many remarking that he did well to compete with his much younger countryman.
The announcement is the culmination of a big seven days for the 29-year old, having married his partner last week. Rosberg will want to consummate these milestones with victory on home soil, as he seeks to re-establish himself as the man to beat.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
Yep Hulk proably isn't complaining at the moment, not that he wouldn't still pine for a future in red as most drivers tend to!
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Nico Hulkenberg had a contract with Ferrari for 2015-16 but Fernando Alonso blocked the move. God only knows why, but Hulkenberg is probably better off at Force India rather than the woeful Ferrari.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
Whilst Magnussen was heavily linked to Force India initially, before Whitmarsh placed Perez there as his final act, to chop and change after such a big move and say "see you again in two years" wouldn't be ideal, when he is only capable of so much with the package. The Grosjean situation blurs the lines between pay driver and being in the sport on merit. He's been anonymous this season as a result of a poor car, but he's done all he can, whether it's enough to break free from the association is another question.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
I'm really looking forward to the Honda change, it's about time we get another engine manufacturer in the sport. As for what you said about stability, it's absolutely essential and also especially in Kevin's case it won't do his confidence any good being rookie with a top team and then being ditched after a single season where he didn't do any out of the question. Yeah, we'll see where that leaves him in terms of the relationship with Lotus. He's still there even after his personal manager went and became racing director at McLaren, so maybe he can live without Total being his financial backer.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
I've always been of the belief that Jenson should be given another season - even as a placeholder for Fernando, Lewis, whoever it may be, considering his working relationship with Honda. Lots of critics are saying Magnussen has had his measure, but Button's had a fine campaign to date with the limited package at his disposal. Or he could go to Ferrari for a season in a direct swap with Fernando... Stability is crucial with Honda's return, so Magnussen would have to do something pretty bad to become the second straight fleeting visitor after Perez. After two decades of the same with Mercedes, the Honda switch so much more than an engine/powertrain change, it's an entire change of philosophy and culture that is part of the package. Who knows where it could end up - maybe Honda will take the fight to Mercedes? As for Grosjean, there's no denying his potential as we saw last season, but the Total-Renault alliance does leaves him in an awkward spot - there's always Caterham or whichever identity they have if they're in the sport next year presumably with Renault power! If he's that dedicated, on appearances alone, he would ditch Total to enjoy the benefits of a Mercedes powered car at his disposal.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
That'd be the ideal situation. Unless of course Ferrari decide to show Kimi the door before he chooses too. As a McLaren fan, I'd rather them keep their current line up. Jenson definitely has at least one more year in him, two if you want to push it and it'd be bitter if after giving him a poor car two years in a row that they wave goodbye to him. Dumping Kevin after this year would mean that even their development drivers aren't up their standards. Yeah a Mercedes-Benz powered Lotus could be strong, but they will need good drivers then. Unfortunately for Romain, because he is backed by Total who in turn back Renault he may have to leave Lotus or dump his Total sponsorship to stay there.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
All parties would be wise to sit tight for another season - including Fernando, to assess his options, unless he is that desperate to try something which he has no idea whether it will pay off - i.e. McLaren, whilst Kimi would happily see out 2015 to collect his pay. I had envisaged a Vettel-Hulkenberg combination from 2016 on the assumption that Alonso departs at the end of this season or next - with Hulkenberg joining next season and Vettel the following, but Bianchi is certainly a wildcard wherever it ends up. Hulk could be wise to stay put as you state with Mercedes power, he has another year on his contract, so he's got nothing to lose. Indeed, he will be happy he was overlooked in favour of Maldonado, though next season when Lotus is almost certainly Merc powered, who knows how competitive they could be?
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Both Fernando and Kimi have stated that they intend to retire after life at Ferrari, so assume if that is what happens then you could be looking at Sebastian and Jules in red by 2016. But as you guys are saying, Fernando could be on the move soon. As for Hulk, it could be better for him to stay in a Force India for the future because they're improving every season and with that Mercedes power pack they'll be quicker in a straight line than a Ferrari. In retrospect, it's a good thing that he wasn't picked up by Ferrari or Lotus for this year because at the moment, he's in a better car.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
Indeed Bianchi would be reluctant especially if he knows something we don't about Vettel, who would want to go there for a solitary campaign? He probably needs another season or two of grounding to be a realistic candidate, or perhaps he'll take any chance that comes his way. It would be the ultimate irony for Perez to end up at Ferrari - from his time as an acadamy member, a complete about face to join McLaren, then ends up at Ferrari itself a year later... this is F1 so these things cannot be ruled out!
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
It would certainly be a different approach for Ferrari to employ somebody so young, but it could be inspired choice - at this stage probably anything has the potential to turn into a masterstroke. Hulkenberg is continually linked with Maranello after his near-miss to Kimi twelve months ago, but if Vettel is Ferrari bound in a year or two, and Bianchi as you suggest winds up there sooner and does a good job, there may be no room for the Hulk.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
It is possible, but would be extremely daft of Hamilton to part company with a piece of machinery which surely has another season or two of dominance, for a package with a new/returning engine supplier - would he be willing to take that bet is the big question. Alonso to McLaren next season is more likely than Hamilton given the former's growing desperation to add to his titles, whereas Hamilton has time on his side. But yes, Vettel to Ferrari is surely a matter not of if, but when - 2016 looms as that when.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Jules stated after the test that he's been told he's not in the running for 2015. I think Ferrari want Vettel, but that would mean Alonso leaves to Mercedes/McLaren/Red Bull. I think Perez and Hulkenburg are both ahead of Jules as well.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
From all the photos that I've seen of Jules Bianchi in Ferrari overalls since the Silverstone test, it'd be safe to say that perhaps they want to finally promote him.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
I fully expect Hamilton to quit Mercedes and rejoin McLaren in 2015 if Rosberg wins the title in 2014. Toto Wolff is a big fan of Alonso and has made no secret that he would like to sign him. Therefore opening the door for Vettel to partner his pal Kimi at Ferrari.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
Yes, a Rosberg title after four seasons of the same person would be a breath of fresh air, rather having somebody who has won it before rather i.e. Hamilton or Alonso. Hamilton will surely add to his solitary title if he doesn't this season, I can't see him spending five seasons consigned as perennial runner-up punching above his weight a la Alonso, especially if he hangs around at Merc, it will come sooner or later.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
And also to add to that, Lewis already has one world championship which is an achievement in itself. Having a new world champion will be exciting for fans too.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
It's hard to ignore the feeling that Mercedes execs want Rosberg to win the title. As much as Hamilton comes across as paranoid, who could blame a German team wanting a national flying the flag, at least first time around? At the end of the day, both drivers would make worthy champions, but it would be sweeter for Rosberg as an individual who many believed was inferior to Hamilton.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
It would be surprising if he didn't win this weekend at Hockenheim. That would really be the icing on the cake for him after the really upbeat fortnight he's had. And also it'd seem almost proper for for Nico to be the one to bring home the team's first drivers' championship under the Silver Arrows name. Not to take anything away from Lewis of course, but for all the toil over the past few years it'd be fairytale like for Nico to be world champion.