AUGUST 17, 2010

Nick Heidfeld released by Mercedes GP

The Mercedes GP team has announced today that it has released Nick Heidfeld from his contract as reserve driver so that the German can join Pirelli as it's official test driver.

The Mercedes GP team has announced today that it has released Nick Heidfeld from his contract as reserve driver so that the German can join Pirelli as it's official test driver.

Pirelli has the contract to supply Formula One starting next season, and will begin testing today in a 2009 Toyota F1 car at Mugello, in Italy, with Heidfeld behind the wheel.

Nick Heidfeld said, "First of all I would like to thank Ross Brawn, Norbert Haug and Nick Fry for allowing me the opportunity to become Pirelli's official test driver. The team has always said that they would not stand in my way if such a chance arose and they have kindly allowed me to take up this exciting new role. I would like to thank everyone at Mercedes GP Petronas for the great cooperation that we have had this year. I have greatly enjoyed supporting the team in my position as Reserve Driver and have felt welcome right from the outset. It was impressive to have the opportunity to work with the current World Champions and I wish the team all the best for the remainder of the season and beyond."

Team Principal Ross Brawn said, "We can confirm that the team is pleased to allow Nick Heidfeld the opportunity to join Pirelli and contribute to their development work for the company's imminent return to Formula One. Nick is an extremely experienced driver and we are confident that his racing knowledge and technical feedback will prove extremely useful to Pirelli and therefore of benefit to the sport as a whole. Nick has been a real asset to Mercedes GP Petronas since joining our team this year and we are pleased to see his career progressing."

Mercedes-Benz Vice-President of Motorsport, Norbert Haug, said, "It was clear from the beginning of our cooperation that Mercedes GP Petronas would release Nick from his obligations as soon as a promising opportunity as an active Formula One driver developed. This is now the case and there could be no more experienced and knowledgeable driver in the cockpit to steer the tyre development for next season. We thank Nick for his contribution to our team over the last nine months and wish him well with his new challenge. It would be great to see Nick in a competitive car in next year's Formula One World Championship and I am sure his leading role in the new tyre development, in addition to his skills, puts Nick in a good position for the remaining seats in 2011."