Rosberg Unlikely to Race in Japan, China

There has been mounting speculation that Rosberg could be drafted into the team for the Japanese and Chinese Grands Prix if Nick Heidfeld does not recover from the injuries he suffered in a recent bicycle accident.

But speaking at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Michael said that he doubted Rosberg would be handed the chance - although admitted he was on the shortlist of candidates.

"He is obviously a very good young driver, he is definitely on our list for the future, but whether he races for the last two Grands Prix is something that Frank Williams can decide race by race," he explained.

"I would say it is unlikely but there is still a possibility there. But more importantly I think he has shown what he can do in GP2. Everyone has seen what he has done this year is pretty good, and what he has shown us inside a Formula One car is pretty good as well.

"What happens to him in the future we will just have to wait and see. Frank has got a couple of options for our second race seat and Nico is definitely one of the guys on that list, as are others, so we will have to wait and see. "

Despite doubting that Rosberg will get his chance with the team this year, Michael has nothing but praise for the German driver's abilities.

"The first time we met Nico he was 17 years old, he was clearly too young to be involved in Formula One at that stage, but it was quite a good exercise because that was about two-and-a-half years ago now and it gave him enough of a taste to know he wanted to do it.

"We could see straight away he is a very intelligent guy, probably one of the smartest of his age I have come across. When I say the smartest I mean from an engineering perspective, he had a very good understanding of car dynamics, tyres and things like that, even at that age, and that was pretty impressive.

"I guess that has come through things handed down by his father (Keke)."