Massa Thinks Heidfeld Deserved 2010 F1 Drive

Felipe Massa hasn't forgot all about his former teammate from Sauber F1, Nick Heidfeld. The two used to drive for Peter Sauber's team back in 2002, but only the Brazilian managed to maintain his place on the F1 grid year after year and into the 2010 campaign. As confirmed by Mercedes GP a few weeks ago, Heidfeld has signed a one-year reserve driver deal with the German manufacturer, leaving him outside the F1 action this season.

Talking to Switzerland's Blick newspaper, Massa admitted his disappointment over not getting to see Heidfeld on the 2010 grid.

“Why has no one offered Nick Heidfeld a good cockpit?” rhetorically asked the 28-year old driver, when questioned by the Swiss reporters on the topic. “If I look at the (2010) field, Nick belongs in Formula One but not as a spare driver,” added the Brazilian driver.

With Sauber looking for drivers that could bring sponsorship money to the team for the 2010 season, Heidfeld began talks with other teams in order to secure a deal for the new season. While offered a spot at McLaren Mercedes – probably as a third driver also – he was also considered one of the favorites to partner Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes GP lineup for 2010.

Days after that, however, Michael Schumacher confirmed his return in the series with the German team, leaving Heidfeld with no other choice but to sign with the Brackley organization as a tester. Despite his 167 starts in F1, he won't even get to drive the W01 on track, but only do simulation test with the team, as confirmed by Mercedes' Norbert Haug last week.

Although he is yet to win a race in Formula One, Heidfeld is known to be one of the most consistent racers in F1 and currently holds the F1 record in terms of consecutive race classifications (41).