Sauber F1 Team has confirmed that Nick Heidfeld will replace Pedro de la Rosa for the rest of the season.The Spaniard had a struggling F1 season after spending many years as a test driver for McLaren Mercedes and has been clearly overshadowed by Kamui Kobayashi, despite his racing experience. And although the Japanese had already renewed his 2011 contract, de la Rosa's latest performance in Gran Premio Santander d'Italia obliged Peter Sauber to dismiss a driver mid-season for the first time in his career as a team boss. Still, It is unclear whether Heidfeld will sign a contract for next year or his agreement includes only the last five races of the season when drivers like Venezuelan Pastor Maldonaldo and Mexican Esteban Gutierrez linked to wealthy sponsorships are atill available on the market altohugh rumoured to have been included in Sauber's 2011 racing team.
After the redraw of Sauber BMW team, Nick Heidfeld was left without a racing seat. The best he could find was a reserve position in McLaren Mercedes after being sidelined due to Michael Schumacher's return, without even have the chance of test driving as test sessions were banned as a cost reduce measure. He only found a way back to the cockpit when Pirelli asked him to run its preparation program ahead of 2011 season when the Italian tyre company will be F1's official tyre supplier. And it is a great advantage for Peter Sauber to have a familiar Pirelli driver in his team for next year. Heidfeld commented:
"I’m looking forward like crazy to having the opportunity to go racing again in a good car in Formula One from the Singapore Grand Prix onwards. After the last months I’m even more motivated than ever. For me it is like coming home, as I raced for seven years in total for the team from Hinwil. Without doubt I will be feeling at home straight away and this should help me to familiarize myself as soon as possible with the car. I want to thank Peter Sauber for the faith he has put in me."
It remains to be seen what happens now to his Pirelli deal, because Heidfeld was released by Mercedes specifically for the Pirelli tests on the basis that he would not be tied in any way to a current team. Logic suggests that Heidlfeld is not willing to return to a Schumacher-dominant team where chances for racing are limitless and only in the case that Schumacher would decide to retire again after a struggling 2010 season.
In a team statement Peter Sauber announced:
"It was a hard decision for me to make as a Team Principal and I want to thank Pedro for his professionalism. By signing Nick we have a driver we know extremely well who will help us to further judge the comparative potential of our car."
Struggling de la rosa will be forced to retirement after his unsuccessful return to the grid showing the way to Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve who is willing to return in F1 next season with his own team.
Yet Heidfeld's move seems to have re-ignated F1's silly season as press rumours report that struggling HRT is really interesting to sign De la Rosa for next year having an experienced driver as a mentor for Bruno Senna, just like Williams Grand Prix did with its Barrichello=Hulkenberg duo. De la Rosa's experience will surely help the development of HRT's car during 2011 Friday's test sessions but in contrast to Cristian Klien or Yamamoto-Chandock rookies, the Spaniard F1 veteran will possibly attract more Spanish sponsor for the team. Moreover, De la Rosa's 2011 options are even significant as Pirelli will now look for another experienced driver and de la Rosa - coming straight from using 2010 Bridgestones - will be a sensible choice for the Italian company.
"I am surprised by the team´s decision, but I respect it and would like to wish everyone good luck for the remainder of the season. I still intend to be in Formula One for 2011."
