Grosjean Replaces Heidfeld as Pirelli Test Driver

Nick Heidfeld has just completed his last test with Pirelli this year, during a 2-day session at Jerez this week. However, more of a news is the fact that the Italian tire manufacturer, which will become the F1 sole tire supplier for the 2011-2013 period, has already agreed on the driver who will replace the 33-year old German for the remainder of the year.

And although many were expecting that driver to be Pedro de la Rosa, who was recently ousted from BMW Sauber-Ferrari and replaced by Heidfeld, Pirelli went for a fresher blood in the person of Romain Grosjean.

Swiss-born Frenchman Grosjean used to drive for Renault F1 Team last season, when he replaced disgraced F1 sophomore Nelson Piquet Jr. His career in the series lasted for only half of season however, as his race driving contract with the Enstone-based team was terminated at the end of 2009. Although he failed to find a spot in the 2010 roster, he made it very clear that he aims for an F1 return in 2011.

“He's packed a lot of experience into a short space of time, including all our GP3 tire development, so I'm sure he'll be able to give us some very useful feedback,” said Pirelli's motor sport director Paul Hembery.

Following his exit from Formula One, Grosjean has tried his luck in several racing series throughout the 2010 competition year, starting with a programme in the FIA GT1 World Championship. He continued with his first ever participation in the Le Mans 24 Hours race, and afterwards returned to single-seater racing in the Auto GP championship (for DAMS).

The 24-year old will start work with Pirelli immediately, as the Italians' next testing session is due to take place next week, on the Monza circuit. As in the case of Heidfeld, Grosjean will drive a Toyota F1 car.