Rosberg unmoved by Schumacher jibe

Nico Rosberg has brushed off reports Michael Schumacher failed to name him among the very best drivers in formula one.

As teammates at Mercedes between 2010 and last year, it is generally accepted that Rosberg usually had the upper-hand over Schumacher when the seven-time world champion raced out a three-year F1 comeback.

But when contemplating the pecking order in 2013, the great German this week named only Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen as the standout drivers.

And Schumacher was also quoted by Sky Italia: "(Those four drivers and) Maybe someone else I’ve forgotten."

Could it be that Schumacher’s "forgotten" driver was Rosberg?

"I don’t know," Rosberg told the Spanish sports newspaper AS, "but he can say what he wants — I don’t comment on these things."

Two-time 2013 race winner Rosberg did insist, however, that he is "very happy" to be able to say that "for three years I beat the best driver of all time".