Schumacher, Rosberg welcome technical staff shake-up

Costa and Willis will strengthen Mercedes GP's technical line-up later this year, as the Brackley-based outfit moves to improve the areas where it believes it is weak compared to frontrunners like Red Bull Racing and McLaren.

And the move has been backed by both drivers - who think it is not only great news that the pair are joining, but also that it is a statement of intent about Mercedes GP's ambitions.

When asked by AUTOSPORT about his reaction to the new appointments, Schumacher said: "Naturally I am happy for all the new guys who have arrived and will arrive.

"We know if we want to beat and fight the guys up front we need to strengthen ourselves and become stronger as a group. We need more potential and more capacity, and that is what is happening with Geoff and Aldo.

"Aldo I know very well from my days [at Ferrari]. With Geoff, it is going to be the first time I work with him, but he has been in the team before and he knows the structure in general. So I guess, the implementation of those guys should go rather quick. Ross [Brawn] knows Aldo rather well, he knows how to put him in a position to get the best out of those guys."

Rosberg added: "It is a hell of an announcement. The message is very clear; Mercedes is going to do whatever it takes to win the championship. It is very obvious. And they are two top guys. Aldo has worked with Ross, and Ross is very, very complimentary about him - he must be because Ross has employed him. And Geoff has been with the team before and they are all very, very happy that he is coming back."

On the back of a season that has fallen slightly short of his expectations, Rosberg said that one of the positives that can be taken out of the year - which is proven by the Costa/Willis signings - is that Mercedes GP has realised it needs to change its approach if it is going to triumph.

"The team has understood that the way it was we couldn't win the championship, so everything is now being done to make this team the best team out there," he said. "It is positive. A bit late, but there you go."