Wednesday 27 January at 10:01 : Jan.27 (GMM) David Coulthard is certain Mercedes will not favour Michael Schumacher in 2010.

24-year-old Nico Rosberg signed to switch to the Brackley based team before knowing that seven time world champion Schumacher would be his teammate.

Especially because the German's return reunites him with former Ferrari technical director and strategist Ross Brawn, it has been suggested that Rosberg may unwittingly become Schumacher's 'number 2'.

But after attending Monday's livery launch of the Mercedes GP livery, grand prix veteran Coulthard said: "I have no doubts that he (Rosberg) will receive equal treatment."

For nine years until 2004, the Scot raced with works Mercedes power at McLaren, where in 1998 and 1999 his teammate Mika Hakkinen won the titles.

"Mercedes used to flip a coin to decide which of us got the fresh engine -- I just don't think he (Rosberg) will be able to match Michael's levels of consistency," the 38-year-old wrote in a column for the Telegraph.

Coulthard does however see a possible bright side for the young German.

"I have some sympathy for Nico Rosberg, but then this is a chance for him to really step up and be the hero himself," he said.