Renault replaces Heidfeld with Senna - Jordan

Nick Heidfeld will not be racing this weekend in Belgium and is unlikely to return to the Renault cockpit.

That was the claim on Monday of the German’s 2004 team boss Eddie Jordan, who is now an expert pundit for British television the BBC’s television coverage.

Earlier this week, the Irishman said he considered the recent criticism of 34-year-old Heidfeld’s performances this year by Renault bosses as "bullying".

He wrote in a BBC column on Monday that Heidfeld "has been dropped by the Renault team in favour of Brazilian Bruno Senna for this weekend’s Belgian grand prix".

Jordan said the move will save Renault money because reserve driver Senna, who is also "expected to race for Renault in the eight remaining races this season", has "several million pounds of sponsorship".

27-year-old Senna raced most recently in the Abu Dhabi finale last year, at the end of his rookie season with the struggling Hispania team.

He has been Renault’s reserve driver in 2011, and in Hungary last month replaced Heidfeld in Friday morning practice.