Nico Rosberg: Suzuka 2010 - © Sutton Images

Nico Rosberg is set to have a new (old) engineer in 2011.

The Mercedes driver commented in his media time yesterday afternoon that there would be some personnel changes at the team over the winter as the German manufacturer strives to move forwards and into a position to fight for race wins. When pressed on the matter, Rosberg defaulted to stating that he and the team had agreed not to discuss specifics at this time.

However, I understand that Nico will be reunited with his former Williams engineer Tony Ross next season, with the Englishman jumping ships from Williams to Mercedes.

Rosberg did say yesterday that “nobody is getting fired,” which has led myself and colleagues to speculate that his current engineer Jock Clear may move into a more general Director of Engineering style role next season.

A Mercedes spokesperson told me moments ago that the team would not be confirming names or changes in personnel for the moment but if my sources are correct, and I believe that they are, then it would appear that Rosberg is beginning to stamp his authority at the team and move it, or at the very least move his side of the garage, in a direction which better suits him.

Ross and Rosberg look set to be reunited in 2011 © Sutton Images