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Heidfeld Will Test Renault R31 at Jerez

Lotus Renault GP is likely to set up a shootout between Nick Heidfeld and Bruno Senna for the vacancy in their 2011 lineup. After several reports hinted that the 33-year old German is in pole position to replace Robert Kubica for the 2011 F1 season, it was now confirmed by the Enstone based team that Heidfeld will test the Renault R31 challenger during this week's test in Jerez.

According to the testing schedule released by Renault, Vitaly Petrov will enjoy two days of track time at the wheel of the R31, on Thursday and Friday, before Nick Heidfeld and Bruno Senna will swap places inside the cockpit in the remaining two days of action.

The exact running order for the weekend will be confirmed on Friday evening,” added the statement from Lotus Renault.

However, the team stopped short from making any predictions or confirmation in regards to Kubica's racing seat, saying that it will “evaluate Nick Heidfeld, who is a potential replacement for Robert Kubica as a race driver.”

Other names that have been ruled into contention for the Polish driver's seat recently are those of Force India reserve Nico Hulkenberg and Italy's Vitantonio Liuzzi, as well as Pedro de la Rosa and Christian Klien.

The three drivers who are to test the R31 this week in Jerez, counting for the second group test of the winter, will have some big shoes to fill, since the R31 was a pacesetter in Valencia, in the hands of Robert Kubica.
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