909 replies to this topic

[vietlol]

[Redliner]

Heidfeld's career is over

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/85989

Heidfeld released by Mercedes GP

The Mercedes GP team has confirmed that it has released Nick Heidfeld from his contract in order for the German to become Pirelli's official test driver.

Heidfeld was the team's reserve driver for this season, but will start driving for Pirelli at the start of today's test at the Mugello circuit, where the German will be at the wheel of a 2009 Toyota F1 car.

"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 1," said Mercedes GP boss Ross Brawn.

"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."

Heidfeld was left without a racing seat following last season, when he raced for BMW Sauber before the German car maker withdrew from the sport.

He joined Mercedes this season as third and reserve driver but has not driven the car.

"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," he said. "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."

Mercedes said it was in no hurry to find a replacement for Heidfeld.

"We have no plans at the moment to appoint a new reserve driver," said a spokesperson.

BTW, i hate the ads on Autosport.com! Stupid pop-ups!

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

Heidfeld's career is over

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/85989



BTW, i hate the ads on Autosport.com! Stupid pop-ups!

Popup ads? I haven't seen any... https://chrome.googl...cnamgkkbiglidom

At least not-so-quick Nick now gets to drive something...

[Redliner]

Popup ads? I haven't seen any... https://chrome.googl...cnamgkkbiglidom

At least not-so-quick Nick now gets to drive something...

IE @ work FTL

[_R_]

IE @ work FTL

i was going to say what ads/popups? but that explains it...
Nick is to young to become a permanent test driver, leave that for drivers rubens age...

[_R_]

IN for Bernie getting killed in Interlagos!

that's probably one of the best races to watch, so much action...
in the F1 game, that's one of my favorite tracks to drive

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

i was going to say what ads/popups? but that explains it...
Nick is to young to become a permanent test driver, leave that for drivers rubens age...

I'd normally agree with you, but since Rubens beat The Stig it seems he's got his mojo back and is driving as well as he ever has.

[Redliner]

I'd normally agree with you, but since Rubens beat The Stig it seems he's got his mojo back and is driving as well as he ever has.

You mean Schumi? lol. Pedro needs to give up his seat, Sauber should hire back Heidfeld and pair him with Kobayashi - now that'd be win.

[DrDickAction]

I think Nick will get a drive somewhere, he's certainly going to have the most experience on the new tires even.

If anything, I think this is confirmation that Schumi isn't going anywhere in 2011.

[_R_]

I'd normally agree with you, but since Rubens beat The Stig it seems he's got his mojo back and is driving as well as he ever has.

i'm not saying that rubens is a bad driver, but he's an end of career driver right now, he's got maybe another season or two?... nick still has at least a decades worth of racing in front of him... that's what i mean...

[TimzSI]

Nick will get a drive with this tire experience it's perfect for his resume, puts him right at the top of F1-class drivers without a seat. If he wasn't there already.

[Nacho]

Heidfeld's career is over

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/85989



BTW, i hate the ads on Autosport.com! Stupid pop-ups!

I'm willing to bet the fact he'll be the only one going into next year with experience on the new tires will make him more attractive, not less.

Mercedes isn't ditching Chin or Pretty Boy, so staying there was worthless.

[vietlol]

looking forward to more schumi suckage next year

hope quick nick gets a seat

[Redliner]

I guess that's true - just seems like becoming a tire tester is the fast way to end a career. Like Wurz or something...

[vietlol]

[_R_]

the toyota looks so different without the livery

[DrDickAction]

Yeah, lots of detail you couldn't really see before...like those wtf vertical slits on the rear endplates.

[TimzSI]

Pretty sure some of that aero treatment was not on the tf109.

did anyone catch Leigh Diffy on Wind Tunnel interviewing Webber on Sunday nite? That was pretty cool. Webber always sounds a bit distracted and annoyed on the grid, but he came off as cool and casual in the phone interview. If Hamilton doesn't pull it out this year, I hope Webber puts his boot on Vettel's neck and takes the chip.

[Redliner]

Pretty sure some of that aero treatment was not on the tf109.

did anyone catch Leigh Diffy on Wind Tunnel interviewing Webber on Sunday nite? That was pretty cool. Webber always sounds a bit distracted and annoyed on the grid, but he came off as cool and casual in the phone interview. If Hamilton doesn't pull it out this year, I hope Webber puts his boot on Vettel's neck and takes the chip.

I'm a big Vettel fan, and so usually I'd disagree with you...but I think I want Webber to win it this year as well.

[DrDickAction]

I'm a big Vettel fan, and so usually I'd disagree with you...but I think I want Webber to win it this year as well.

[TimzSI]

The kids gonna be around forever, he'll get his. I think he has shown so far this year that he really is lacking some seasoning. Vettel I mean. Webbo has certainly punched his time card enough that I won't feel like I did when Jens won it; that is to say nothing at all.

[chiuey]

Webbo is a strong veteran. He deserves one, but of course deserving one and winning one are two completely different things. I do hope he wins it this yr.

[DrDickAction]

ya'll a bunch of fair-weather vettel fans.

[TimzSI]

never was a Vettel fan. Almost cost Hammy the chip in '08. Thanks again Timo!

[yonson]

Vettel is going to win it dammit... But if by chance he does get beat, I'd want it to be by Webbah...