Nov.22 (GMM) Nico Rosberg insists he has no "fear" his promising F1 career might end as countryman Nick Heidfeld's did -- without a single win.

German Heidfeld contested more than 180 grands prix until this season without ever standing at the top step of the podium.

Now with more than half of Heidfeld's race tally, 26-year-old Rosberg has shown promisingly alongside Michael Schumacher in the past two years and has signed on with Mercedes for even longer.

But is he worried his career might end as Heidfeld's did?

"Fear? No, why should I be afraid?" he insisted to the Kolner Express newspaper. "I think Nick had a good career.

"I'm not sitting here thinking this is it. I am here with total conviction that I will keep doing a good job and keep developing. And we'll see in the end what comes of it."

However, it must rankle Rosberg that, despite his arguably more successful formative career, the two-year-younger Sebastian Vettel came into F1 and quickly found a car to race to two consecutive drivers' titles.

"No, not even a little bit," insisted Rosberg when asked if he is envious. "That is completely foreign to me.

"I don't compare us as I am satisfied with my own situation. And I am convinced that my time will come."

But if that time doesn't arrive by the end of 2013, it is rumoured that Rosberg's new contract allows him to walk away if he can find a better seat.

"I don't want to say anything about any numbers or whatever," he insisted. "And what's that about 'probation'? The motto now is 'full throttle'!"

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