McLaren promise Perez equal status

Nico Rosberg has been assured of equal status alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year, AUTOSPORT has learned.

Mercedes has pulled off a coup in luring Hamilton away from McLaren, as it bids to ramp up its efforts to win the world championship in the next few years.

Although Hamilton is a star signing for Mercedes, and carries hopes of gunning for the title, sources have revealed that he will not be given number one status at the team.

Instead, it has been made clear to both the Briton and Rosberg that they will be treated equally – and both will have the same chance of gunning for glory.

Rosberg proved himself more than capable of taking on top-line opposition when he showed well alongside Michael Schumacher over the past two-and-a-half years.

The German took Mercedes' first pole position as a modern works team in China and duly delivered its first victory in China.

Writing on Twitter on Friday, Rosberg said he was excited about the prospect of racing alongside Hamilton.

"Very cool that Lewis will be my new team-mate!," he said. "Gonna be another great challenge!"