Feb.12 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has spoken up for his new Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

German Rosberg is seen to have outshone seven time world champion Michael Schumacher during their three years together at Mercedes between 2010 and 2012.

But how much had success and subsequent retirement - and age - slowed the great 44-year-old?

"Nico is a damn strong competitor," Briton Hamilton told the French sports daily L'Equipe, "I can assure you.

"He is underestimated," added Rosberg's new teammate, the 2008 world champion.

Hamilton said Rosberg is good enough to push him right to the limits of his talents.

"If you want to be the best," he insisted, "you have to be pushed to your limits. And Nico is one of the drivers who can do that."

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