Nico Rosberg clarified on Friday that he will stay with the Williams team in 2009.

Prior to the confirmation of Heikki Kovalainen's contract for next year, it had been speculated that Rosberg - who was also shortlisted at the end of 2007 as a possible replacement for Fernando Alonso - could move into the second Mercedes-powered seat.

23-year-old Rosberg, however, was always under firm contract to Grove-based Williams, and team chief Sir Frank Williams has never been in the mood to sell up.

"I don't regret anything," the German driver said in interview with the newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau.

"That would not help me. Instead I always look forward and try to make my decisions work. You have to have patience and show the best you can with the car you have.

"I am sure my time will come," Rosberg explained. "Next year there are completely new regulations and we could be at the front."

The German admits Williams has not made good progress since the beginning of the 2008 season.

"We did drop back," he acknowledges. "Red Bull, Toyota and Renault, with whom we compare ourselves, are now simply faster.

"But there are some more circuits coming up that should suit our car, and I trust the team that we will improve -- otherwise I would have not signed for 2009," Rosberg added.

Source: GMM