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Heidfeld settles for Mercedes test role

ESPNF1 Staff
February 4, 2010 « Alonso plays down Ferrari dominance | »
Nick Heidfeld will help develop the new Mercedes MGP W01 © Getty Images
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Nick Heidfeld has settled for a reserve and test driver position at Mercedes this season.

Heidfeld was touted as a prime candidate to race for the ex-Brawn team when it was bought by Mercedes last November, but was pipped to the drive alongside Nico Rosberg by seven-time champion Michael Schumacher. He was also linked to drives at Renault and Sauber, but as the remaining empty seats for 2010 were snapped up, it became clear he would not be racing in Formula One this year.

"I am very pleased to be joining the Mercedes GP Pertonas Formula One Team," Heidfeld said. Whilst I would of course have preferred a seat as an active driver, I am really proud to be part of the new Silver Arrows team. I have seen how committed everyone at the team is and I feel the same. I will be doing my very best to support Michael and Nico this year."

It means Mercedes has one of the most experienced driver line-ups on the grid; a quality team principal Ross Brawn thinks will serve the team well.

"It's a great pleasure for us to have signed a driver of the calibre and experience of Nick Heidfeld as our reserve race driver and test driver for the 2010 season. Nick has over ten years of experience in Formula One working with established teams and he will be a great asset to Mercedes. I am confident that his input into the development of our MGP W01 car will be invaluable. We look forward to welcoming Nick to Mercedes and working closely with him."

11 days of testing remain before the opening grand prix of the season in Bahrain. Brawn has already said the car needs to be improved ahead of the first race, while Schumacher has played down his chances early in the season. The extent of Heidfeld's participation at the upcoming tests was not mentioned.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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