Nick Heidfeld new reserve driver for Mercedes GP

Nick Heidfeld will be the official test and reserve driver for Mercedes GP in 2010. It is a real disappointment for the German who ultimately did not secure a race seat on the grid. He left the BMW-Sauber team at the end of last season and had been linked to a position at Mercedes GP before Michael Schumacher’s return was confirmed.

After losing this seat, Heidfeld believed he was in talks with Renault and Lotus, but both teams revealed the identity of their two drivers for 2010. He ultimately accepted a role as the third driver. Speaking about his change of position, Heidfeld stated: I’m very happy to join the Mercedes GP team. It’s the team that has drawn the most interest during the 2009/2010 transfers, not only because of Michael Schumacher’s return, but also because this season marks the return of cars made by Mercedes-Benz. A first in more than 50 years.

Even though I would obviously prefer an active racing seat, I am really proud to be part of the new Silver Arrows team. I’ve met everyone within the team and I think like them. I will do my best to help Michael and Nico this year.

Heidfeld will therefore renew his working relationship with Mercedes-Benz, which had supported him until 1997, when he was a young driver for the German automaker. He had even won the F3 championship in Germany. His first experience in F1 was with a McLaren-Mercedes, for which he became a test driver during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. His appointment at Mercedes GP means that the team now has three German drivers, with Michael Schumacher alongside Nico Rosberg. A true consecration!