Rosberg says ‘no’ to being Schu’s number 2

(GMM) Nico Rosberg has acknowledged the "very strong" rumors linking Michael Schumacher with Mercedes, but insists he will not be the team's number 2 driver.

The 24-year-old German is currently waiting to know if the seven time world champion will make his F1 return in the garage alongside him, and has this week admitted in interviews that he hopes it is the case.

But to Bild newspaper, Rosberg said: "Me a number two? No. But I respect Schumi a lot.

"At Mercedes there is not hierarchy. It has always been known that the two drivers are equal.

"Sure, if at the end of the year there is the possibility for only one driver to fight seriously for the title, the team concentrates on that driver. But until then the Mercedes philosophy is 'We have two number ones'," Rosberg added.