In a fall from grace as average as we have come to expect from Nick Heidfeld, the former BMW Sauber driver has washed up at Mercedes GP for 2010 as a reserve driver, after his race seat options evaporated for next season.
Heidfeld was rumoured to be an option for a race seat with the German team before Michael Schumacher signed for them, but despite being considered for race seats at both Sauber and Renault, Heidfeld was passed over both times in favour of Pedro de la Rosa and Vitaly Petrov respectively.
And now, with only two seats still available for 2010, and both with new, cash-strapped teams in USF1 and Campos, Heidfeld has opted for a year on the sidelines with Mercedes.
"I am very pleased to be joining the Mercedes GP Petronas Formula 1 Team," Heidfeld insisted today as the deal was announced.
"It's the team which has attracted the most interest in the close season, not only because of the comeback of Michael Schumacher, but also because this season sees the return of the Silver Arrows cars as a Mercedes-Benz works team for the first time in over 50 years.
"While I would of course have preferred a seat as an active driver, I am really proud to be part of the new Silver Arrows team. I have seen how committed everyone at the team is and I feel the same. I will be doing my very best to support Michael and Nico this year."
Whether or not Heidfeld sees the move as the end of his F1 racing career or a temporary move away from race driving is unclear.
The move completes Mercedes GP's all-German line-up for 2010, with Heidfeld joining race drivers Schumacher and Nico Rosberg in the team for it's first works assault on the F1 world championship since 1955.
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