autoevolution
 

Heidfeld to Replace De la Rosa at Singapore

German driver Nick Heidfeld might return to Formula One action sooner than expected. And we're not talking about the current testing programme he's doing with the series' new tire supplier Pirelli, but a real job driving a 2010-spec car in the remaining rounds of the ongoing campaign.

According to veteran Blick correspondent Roger Benoit, Heidfeld will drive alongside Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi in the BMW Sauber-Ferrari team from as early as the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix. The 33-year old would therefore replace another F1 veteran Pedro de la Rosa, who has failed to deliver the wanted results with the Hinwil based team so far.

Despite the initial reports that De la Rosa signed a 2-year deal with the Swiss squad and that he benefits from support from the Spanish motoring federation, his poor run in the first 14 rounds of the 2010 season – during which he only scored 6 points, as compared to his teammate Kamui Kobayashi's 21 points – will likely cost him his job with Sauber.

Coming to strengthen Blick's reports is also Spanish website lne.es, whose latest feed suggested that there are 99 percent chances of Heidfeld replacing De la Rosa in Singapore. Needless to say, neither party has confirmed anything, as Peter Sauber refused to comment.

I am not talking about my drivers,” he is quoted as saying to the media by the GMM.

Nick Heidfeld is certainly no stranger to the Hinwil-based organization, for which he raced on a two-stint basis between 2001-03 and 2006-09 respectively. After losing his job last year, he became a test and reserve driver for Mercedes GP, a position which he left behind last month, when he became the official test driver for Pirelli F1's programme.

UPDATE: According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, Pedro de la Rosa is set to take over the Pirelli testing job from Heidfeld. This way, a drivers switch will take place between Team Sauber and the Italian tire manufacturer.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories