Nick Heidfeld signs for Lotus Renault, will replace Robert Kubica
33- year-old German driver Nick Heidfeld will drive alongside Vitaly Petrov at Renault in the forthcoming Formula One season. Heidfeld has been confirmed as a substitute for Robert Kubica, who is out with an injury for at least three months if not the entire
season.
Kubica suffered multiple fractures in a horror crash earlier this month at the Ronde di Andora; the Polish racer underwent a final surgery on his knee on Wednesday, and will be in intensive care for a few more days.
Heidfeld drove the new R31 on the third day of the Jerez test session and posted the fastest time on the clock. His performance, with the car he never drove before, impressed the Renault boss Eric Boullier.
“We gave Nick a chance in Jerez last week and he really impressed us. He's quick, experienced and is very strong technically with his feedback and understanding of the car,” Boullier said.
Commenting on his selection, the German said, “I would have liked to come back to Formula One in different circumstances, but I'm proud to have been given this chance.”
“I have a good feeling for the car, which is quite innovative. I'm extremely motivated and can't wait for the season to begin,” he added.
Heidfeld has been selected over Vitantonio Liuzzi and Bruno Senna. Senna could only go fifth quickest on the final day, while the Italian Liuzzi never got a chance to impress.
Senna admitted later that he was not the man for the job, while Boullier insists that Senna was not given the car on the final day to test him, rather to prepare him as a reserve driver.
Heidfeld has competed in 172 grand prix over the last 11 F1 seasons; he has the record of most second finishes without a win. From 2006-2009, Heidfeld was Kubica’s teammate at BMW Sauber for three and half years from 2006-09.
Last year Heidfeld was a test driver for Pirelli tyres and drove the Toyota TF109 several times under the new rubber.
The 33-year old was left without a drive at the end of 2010 season and has got a lucky break. With Kubica potentially out for the entire Formula One season, the German is extremely motivated to make an impression.
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