Nick Heidfeld has been released from his Mercedes GP contract to join Pirelli's tyre development programme.
German handed new role as Pirelli test driver
Nick Heidfeld has been released from his contract as Mercedes GP's test and reserve driver to join Pirelli's tyre development programme.
The German will commence testing for the Italian company, which is to be Formula One's sole tyre supplier starting next season, at the Mugello circuit on Tuesday.
"We can confirm that the team is pleased to allow Nick Heidfeld the opportunity to join Pirelli and contribute to their development work for the company's imminent return to Formula One," Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn said in a statement.
"Nick is an extremely experienced driver and we are confident that his racing knowledge and technical feedback will prove extremely useful to Pirelli and therefore of benefit to the sport as a whole.
"Nick has been a real asset to Mercedes GP Petronas since joining our team this year and we are pleased to see his career progressing."
Opportunity
Heidfeld, who raced F1 for a decade before leaving the BMW Sauber team at the end of last season, thanked Mercedes for letting him take up the opportunity.
"First of all I would like to thank Ross Brawn, Norbert Haug and Nick Fry for allowing me the opportunity to become Pirelli's official test driver," said Heidfeld.
"The team has always said that they would not stand in my way if such a chance arose and they have kindly allowed me to take up this exciting new role.
"I would like to thank everyone at Mercedes GP Petronas for the great co-operation that we have had this year. I have greatly enjoyed supporting the team in my position as reserve driver and have felt welcome right from the outset.
"It was impressive to have the opportunity to work with the current world champions and I wish the team all the best for the remainder of the season and beyond," he added.
