Pirelli Soon to Name Heidfeld Replacement

Pirelli may possibly announce a new development driver for its Formula One tyre programme before the end of this week. According to itv.com, the tyre maker has confirmed that incumbent driver Nick Heidfeld’s signing with Sauber Motorsport and imminent return to F1 racing spells an end to his relationship with Pirelli. The Italian manufacturer is said to be releasing Heidfeld from his commitment, and according to the ITV website it hopes to appoint his replacement “in the forthcoming days.”

“Nick will leave with our blessing and we wish him well,” a Pirelli spokesman told itv.com. “If we dovetailed both roles (Pirelli tyre testing and racing for Sauber), there would be a conflict of interest. By the end of the week we should be able to announce his replacement.” Heidfeld will officially continue his work on the third Pirelli F1 tyre test until Friday. As for a possible replacement for Heidfeld, itv.com states that Pedro De la Rosa, who was a long-time McLaren test driver prior to racing for Sauber Motorsport, has been “linked” to the Pirelli test role.