Heidfeld to be Mercedes reserve in 2010

UPDATE #3 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. Nick Heidfeld will complete an all-German ‘super team’ alongside countrymen Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg at Mercedes Grand Prix in F1 2010, his manager has confirmed – a move that could bring down the curtain on the career of one of the best drivers never to actually win a race in the top flight. See also this press release by the team.

01/29/10 (GMM) Norbert Haug on Friday played down reports that confirmation of Nick Heidfeld's deal to be reserve driver at Mercedes GP in 2010 is imminent.

The news was reported with supposed insider information by Germany's Bild newspaper, but Mercedes' motor sport boss Haug would not confirm it when questioned by the news agency DPA.

However, he said an announcement about Mercedes' third driver will be made within 10 days.

"The discussions are under way, but nothing is decided yet," Haug told another German news agency, SID.

SID also said a move to the DTM series with Mercedes is another possibility for Heidfeld in 2010.

01/29/10 (GMM) Nick Heidfeld will on Friday be unveiled as Mercedes GP's reserve driver for the 2010 season.

Germany's Bild newspaper said the insider information came directly from Brackley, where the final touches are being put on the MGP W01 car that will make its test debut at Valencia on Monday.

32-year-old grand prix veteran Heidfeld's appointment means that all three of Mercedes' drivers are German, moving sections of the domestic media to liken the team to its World Cup football 'Nationalmannschaft' (national team).

01/22/10 (GMM) Nick Heidfeld will be the reserve driver for Mercedes GP in 2010, a report quoted his manager as saying on Friday.

Auto Bild claims the appointment of the 32-year-old grand prix veteran, who would complete an all-German lineup for the former Brawn team, will be announced officially in Stuttgart on Monday.

"Nick wants to concentrate fully on his job as test driver and support the regular drivers with his experience," Heidfeld's manager Andre Theuerzeit said.

"Nick had focused on having a (race) cockpit with the top teams, but their decisions were rather late. So we've gone for another opportunity," he added.

In a subsequent German news report, Theuerzeit denied that a contract has been signed.

Mercedes competition director Norbert Haug said late this week that the Brackley based team's deliberations about a reserve driver were "maturing" but "not finalized yet".

Heidfeld was recently linked with a move to Renault in 2010 but it is believed the newly Genii Capital-controlled team will instead appoint a pay driver.