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Formula One
F1: Heidfeld Signed As Mercedes Third Driver
Nick Heidfeld has found a home...
Adam Cooper  | http://www.speedtv.com  |  Posted February 04, 2010   Balen (BEL)
Nick Heidfeld has been serving as a reserve driver for Mercedes. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

With the second Renault seat taken Nick Heidfeld has given up his quest for a 2010 race seat and accepted the third driver role at Mercedes GP – and he may just be hoping that Michael Schumacher has some neck issues at some point this year.

It means that Mercedes now has three drivers from Germany, while McLaren has three from England.

Heidfeld was backed by Mercedes in his F3 days, and was a McLaren test driver for several seasons. He has finished second eight times, but has yet to win a Grand Prix.

In a team statement Heidfeld said: "I am very pleased to be joining the Mercedes team. It's the team which has attracted the most interest in the close season, not only because of the comeback of Michael Schumacher, but also because this season sees the return of the Silver Arrows cars as a Mercedes-Benz works team for the first time in over fifty years.

“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."

Team boss Ross Brawn commented: "It's a great pleasure for us to have signed a driver of the caliber 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 GP Petronas. I am confident that his input into the development of our MGP W01 car will be invaluable.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 25th season as a racing journalist in 2009. Born in London, England, he saw his first F1 race at age 10 in 1976. He began freelancing for Autosport magazine in 1985 and was on the fulltime staff from 1987-92. He then went freelance again, initially spending two years in Japan before following the 1994 Champcar series from a base in Indianapolis. He has not missed a Grand Prix since Suzuka ‘94, a run that has extended to Abu Dhabi ’09. Adam has written books about Eddie Irvine, Piers Courage and Michael Schumacher and hosts a race preview show on Sirius XM. He has written about F1 for SPEEDtv.com since 2005.

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