Mercedes reserve role for Nick Heidfeld

Nick Heidfeld’s ten year run as a Formula One race driver look set to come to an end according to reports. The German veteran of over 160 Grand Prix starts is expected to be announced as Mercedes GP’s test and reserve driver for the coming season.

Heidfeld had been chasing the race seat alongside Nico Rosberg at the Anglo-German team, but Michael Schumacher’s signature on the contract just ahead of the Christmas break scuppered his chances. He had also been linked with the vacant seat at Renault alongside former BMW Sauber team-mate Robert Kubica.

“Nick wants to concentrate fully on his job as test driver and support the regular drivers with his experience,” Heidfeld’s manager Andre Theuerzeit told Auto Bild. “Nick had focused on having a cockpit with the top teams, but their decisions were rather late. So we’ve gone for another opportunity.”

Should the deal be confirmed as expected next week, Mercedes will be Heidfeld’s sixth team since his debut with Prost Grand Prix in 2000.