Mercedes Offer Heidfeld Reserve/Test Role

It was quite obvious that a potential deal between Mercedes GP and Michael Schumacher would have closed all doors for German driver Nick Heidfeld on his way to Brackley. The former BMW Sauber racer was hoping to secure the vacant seat alongside compatriot Nico Rosberg at Mercedes, but the return of Schumacher practically sealed all his hopes for the future.

While several other teams continue to be alternatives for the F1 veteran to continue his career in the series – Renault, US F1, Campos Grand Prix and even Toro Rosso – it now emerged that Mercedes GP has offered the 32-year old a valid contract for test/reserve driver for the 2010 season, according to the German newspaper Bild.

This would practically put an end to Heidfeld's career in Formula One – as both Schumacher and Rosberg have long-term commitments with the German marque – but it would ensure the formation of an all-German team in the Great Circle. The Bild actually referred to this potential lineup as being the new “German national team”.

Although he has contested in no less than 169 Grands Prix in Formula One, Heidfeld is yet to win a race in the series. However, over the years, he has proven himself as one of the most consistent drivers in the F1 roster, as he currently holds the world record for consecutive race classifications in the Great Circle (41), having completed the 2008 F1 season without a single DNF.

Although his relationship with Peter Sauber has been quite close in recent years, Heidfeld is believed to be out of contention for the vacant spot at Sauber F1 Team, near Kamui Kobayashi. Mostly due to sponsorship reasons, the Swiss owner seems to consider Pedro de la Rosa, Giancarlo Fisichella or Christian Klien for the job, leaving one of the highest-rated drivers of F1 outside the 2010 roster.