Rosberg hopeful for 2009

For the AT&T Williams team the 2009 Formula One season has seen the team drop down the order after a successful start to the season with a third place in Australia. One person to have struggled as a result of the Williams teams lack of performance was lead driver Nico Rosberg.

A view supported by former world champion Niki Lauda who said "He is being held back by the performance of his car, which is something he can't do anything about." F1 commentator Christian Danner, told RTL: "In my eyes Nico is a winner, so to me it is almost tragic that he is losing so much time at Williams."

But despite his 2008 season failing to deliver what he was hoping for the young German still has the prospect of turning his carer around in 2009 when Formula One will see a large number of changes including slick tyres, and a new aerodynamic package. But such is his disappointment in 2008 that it is only these changes that have given him hope for improvement.

In an interview with Germany's Auto Motor und Sport Nico said: "Just because of the rules changes, otherwise I would have lost faith long ago." If 2009 turns out to be like 2008 Nico's reputation could suffer greatly.

But with the Williams team still without any manufacturer backing, despite using Toyota engines, and with the team potentially suffering financially from the financial crisis that has hit some of the teams major sponsors there is a real uphill battle for Williams to become competitive in 2009. This is something that Nico is probable fully aware of as the 2008 season comes to an end.

The question is asked as to why Nico did not look for an opportunity to leave Williams and move on to another team, something that could have helped his career.

Nico answered this by saying: "At the time I had a valid contract with Frank, and as I learned from my father, loyalty is an important value."

"Of course there are grey areas, and in Formula One you must exploit them now and then. But the signs were that staying with Williams was the right choice."

But one thing that Williams does give him is the ability to remain the teams lead driver rather than moving to another team when he may have to play a secondary role.

Nico added: "As a driver, first and foremost you want a good and competitive car. So if you are contractually able, you would have to accept an offer from a team like this."

"But there is a danger of having to play second fiddle, which would not be ideal as from the outset you would be fighting against so many other things rather than just driving fast."

Whatever was the basis for Nico's decision to remain at Williams for 2009 recent events affecting the financial position of some of Williams sponsors as well as the rumoured loss of long time sponsor Petrobras must be in his mind as to whether or not the Williams team is going to be in a position to turn their 2009 season around. Only time will tell.