Nico Rosberg exit will not weaken Mercedes as they still have Lewis Hamilton, claims rival
NICO ROSBERG's departure will not weaken Mercedes in Formula One, according to one rival boss.
Mercedes still have Lewis Hamilton on board, one of F1's best drivers and a three-time world champ
Rosberg, 31, announced his shock retirement last week after beating his team-mate and long-term rival Lewis Hamilton to the world title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
After three consecutive battles for the F1 Drivers' Championship with his own team-mate, Hamilton will now expect to be the No 1 driver at Mercedes when they find a replacement for the departing German.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff now has to replace Nico Rosberg
I'm not sure where Nico Rosberg's retirement leaves Mercedes but they still have Lewis Hamilton on board
Manor driver Pascal Wehrlein is the current favourite for the vacant seat but team boss Toto Wolff has also admitted they must consider McLaren's Fernando Alonso.
But Ferrari chief executive Sergio Marchionne has backed Mercedes to remain as strong as last year no matter who they choose.
"I sent a message over to Toto, I was flying when [Rosberg's retirement] came out, and I was surprised in a sense," Marchionne told Motorsport.com.
Nico Rosberg retired days after winning his maiden F1 world title
"I actually complimented Rosberg for having had the courage for what he did.
"I think timing in life is everything. He's exiting the F1 season as a champion. He can't get better than that.
"I think Nico had reached an age where he'd invested a long part of his life to racing. And coming out as a champion is a culmination of his expectations.
"I compliment him for making his choice, and I'm not sure where that leaves Mercedes for 2017.
F1's Nico Rosberg thanks fans in retirement speech
"I do not expect a weaker Mercedes at all.
"Let's not forget that they still have Lewis Hamilton on board, and I'm sure they'll choose a driver of equal potential calibre as they've had in the past."