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May 23rd
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Ickle set for 2012 Le Mans challenge

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Out-of-work former Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld is set to switch to sportscar racing for the 2012 season, with the German set to compete for the Rebellion Racing LMP1 team in selected races throughout the season.

Heidfeld has been out of a drive since being let go by the Lotus Renault GP team midway through the 2011 season, and failed to secure an F1 return for 2012.

The German was dropped by Renault before the Belgian Grand Prix, being replaced by Bruno Senna.

And with no F1 vacancy available to him for the 2012 season, Heidfeld will instead switch to sportscars with the Rebellion team.

Although the deal has not yet been officially confirmed, according to the Swiss Speed Week publication Heidfeld will drive a partial season for the team, including the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Rebellion have confirmed a two-car assault on Le Mans and the 2012 World Endurance Championship, using a pair of their Toyota-powered Lola coupes.

Their main driver line-up will feature famous surname Nicolas Prost, occasional Red Bull tester Neel Jani, Italian driver Andrea Belicchi and new signing Harold Primat.

But for the longer races such as Le Mans, Heidfeld will be brought in as a third driver in one of their cars.

And according to the report, Heidfeld will compete in the WEC rounds at Sebring and Spa-Francorchamps in preparation for the Le Mans race.

Rebellion secured the bragging rights in the unofficial 'petrol class' at the 2011 Le Mans race, with one of their cars finishing 6th overall behind the factory diesels of Audi and Peugeot.

The team also won the teams and manufacturers crowns in last season's Le Mans Series.

Heidfeld has competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours race once before, driving in the 1999 race for Mercedes, but his car retired from the race in the early stages.