Rosberg: 'Hugely inspired and motivated by Schumacher'

©WRI2

Reigning world champion Nico Rosberg paid tribute to Michael Schumacher and the motivation his example instilled during the Mercedes' driver title winning season.

Rosberg was in Dusseldorf yesterday as a guest of honor of the very first Keep Fighting Award organised at Europe's largest sports business congress, SPOBIS.

The award, presented by Rosberg to Paralympian Vanessa Low, is part of the Keep Fighting initiative, which was recently launched by the Schumacher family for charitable purposes.

Rosberg took the opportunity to remind everyone of the huge impact the seven-time world champion had on his career during the period when the two drivers were team mates at Mercedes between 2010 and 2012.

"It was an exciting time and a big challenge," Rosberg said.

"This is an enormous effort to have such a strong team-mate. You can see why he is seven times world champion."

The German was undoubtedly inspired by the most successful F1 driver in history during their time together..

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter