Heidfeld released

[christophulus]

The Mercedes GP team has confirmed that it has released Nick Heidfeld from his contract in order for the German to become Pirelli's official test driver.

Heidfeld was the team's reserve driver for this season, but will start driving for Pirelli at the start of today's test at the Mugello circuit, where the German will be at the wheel of a 2009 Toyota F1 car.


http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/85989


Well, if insider knowledge on the Pirellis doesn't get him a race seat next year, I don't know what will!

[Dave B]

Poor sod. Half a season of waiting for Schumacher to slip on a banana skin, and instead of getting rewarded with a drive with last year's championship-winning team he gets to plod round in an old Toyota testing rubber.

As you say, maybe this is route to better things.

[Azumanga Davo]

The first to find out how bad they will be. He'll enjoy that...

[Dr. Krogshöj]

Poor sod. Half a season of waiting for Schumacher to slip on a banana skin, and instead of getting rewarded with a drive with last year's championship-winning team he gets to plod round in an old Toyota testing rubber.

As you say, maybe this is route to better things.

I think this is actually a good way to find a race seat for 2011. His knowledge of the new tires may come in handy for a lot of teams.

[ShiftingGears]

As you say, maybe this is route to better things.

Better than waiting around another 2 and a half years for Rosberg or Schumacher to get injured!

[ArrowsFA1]

As you say, maybe this is route to better things.
Perhaps even a route back to a Mercedes race seat :p

[maximilian]

It may turn out to be a huge mistake when Schumacher quits later in the season :p :

[DexDexter]

I think this is actually a good way to find a race seat for 2011. His knowledge of the new tires may come in handy for a lot of teams.

I don't think it will make a big difference, it's an old Toyota and I'm not sure what he can transfer from the tests to another team. To me Heidfeld is less likely to get a drive for next year than this year, people just forget so quickly in F1.

[I am evil Homer]

Tyre knowledge is fine shame it will be a car with little resemblance to what's being raced in 2011. The bigger tragedy is that Nick isn't in a race seat right now.

[Tazio]

:s ailor: Ba-bye

[steveaki13]

We may get a idea of how good the tyres might be for next year if after testing them, Heidfeld announces he is going to race lawn mowers next year. :laugh:

[Nikki Katz]

If it doesn't work out with Schumacher, I don't see that they still would not take up Heidfeld. It's not like he was doing anything when he was their test driver and they're in no hurry to replace him, all that this means is that he's allowed to test last year's Toyota with next year's tyres, and Mercedes don't have to pay him any more.

[gm99]

Maybe Mercedes should have released Schumacher instead. That way, he would be back doing his beloved testing and getting a head start for the 2011 season. This season is done and dusted as far as Schuey (Schumi for St. Devote) is concerned, anyway. And Heidfeld would get to show what he can do relative to Rosberg.

[V12]

Anyone else find all this talk about Heidfeld and old Toyotas a bit depressing? It was more fun when we had Bridgestone and Michelin coming in partnering with existing teams and their drivers, splitting the field in two and ramping up to take it to the incumbent tyre manufacturer, mixing the field up and so on.

Control. Tyres. Are. Boring.

[Saint Devote]

Its not a totally worthless situation butthe issue is how valuable can it be?

The control tyres are the most awful idea that f1 has ever come up with.

The car must adapt to the tyre that is forced on them and the driver then has to hope to god that his style suits it.

In the "good old days" when we had competition - remember it IMPROVES the breed - there were also boutique tyres. It is this situation that has allowed drivers to compete at their best head to head.

One of the best examples was the situation between Rindt and Stewart - Jochen had tyres that were 2 cm wider and they run at different pressure compared to Jackie. Imagine if they were both forced to used the same tyre and it was the sort that favored ONE driver. A mess.

And a mess is what we have now.

And exactly HOW will a 2009 car testing tyres for 2011 be of any use besides Heidfeld only being able to report back based on his style of driving?

It is a load of crap and if FOTA really had BIG ONES they would tell the FIA what to do and go out and make tyre deals with tyre companies themselves and make a stand.

I detest governing bodies without exception. Their power creeps until THEY become the reason for living! By all means have a body that will adjudicate issues based on a RATIONAL body of rules - something that we do not have now.

But at the end of the day it is the teams that have to pay the money and money talks while bs walks!

Schumacher would NEVER have been able to achieve his success with control tyres and all the buggery that it enforces.

Who cares what Heidfeld does? He is over the hill and there are a whole host of up and coming drivers that are far better than he ever was.

Driving an old car on 2011 tyres? Get real!

[Z926A12]

yeah it's a real shame. A guy who's career never really took off.

my more detailed thoughts lol : http://formula1worldchampionship.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/f1-the-end-of-nick-heidfeld/

[Saint Devote]

Anyone else find all this talk about Heidfeld and old Toyotas a bit depressing? It was more fun when we had Bridgestone and Michelin coming in partnering with existing teams and their drivers, splitting the field in two and ramping up to take it to the incumbent tyre manufacturer, mixing the field up and so on.

Control. Tyres. Are. Boring.

Absolutely! This is motor racing and we have socialism on the tyre side - socialism is evil and ALWAYS leads to death and that is what has happened to f1 tyres. BOREDOM and crap.

[CNR]

on tyres
http://www.mibz.com/18352-michael-schumacher-blames-mercedes-gp-w01-f1-car-for-weak-results.html


says the main reason for the lack of results is given by the F1 car primarily caused by poor compatibility with Bridgestone tires.
2007-2008 Bridgestone with honda
2009 Bridgestone with brawn gp

[woody2goody]

This does also pose the question: Who is the reserve driver for Merc? Is it Ant Davidson?

By the way I'm 90% that Heidfeld will get a race seat next year - he's too good to sit out 2 years in a row.

[Saint Devote]

This does also pose the question: Who is the reserve driver for Merc? Is it Ant Davidson?

By the way I'm 90% that Heidfeld will get a race seat next year - he's too good to sit out 2 years in a row.

Davidson is a Peugot works driver and cannot also work for Mercedes - in the unlikely event he would be asked he should and will refuse. He has a great future at the top of endurance racing.

F1 has never be well disposed to him and he is well rid of the aggravation.

I think Mercedes will appoint another German driver. I would not be surprised if Ralf Schumacher is nominated as he is already a DTM driver for Mercedes.

[Saint Devote]

on tyres
http://www.mibz.com/18352-michael-schumacher-blames-mercedes-gp-w01-f1-car-for-weak-results.html


2007-2008 Bridgestone with honda
2009 Bridgestone with brawn gp

Q:would jenson be leading if he was still in that car ?

When "Britney" was informed Jenson was not to be his teammate in 2010 he said he was really disappointed.

I think that Jenson in the team would have been much stronger than Schumi and they would have pushed each other - so with Button BOTH drivers would have done better and put Mercedes in a better position than they are now.

A driver ALWAYS does better when he has a teammate that is pushing him and Rosberg would have benefitted immensely from Jense who always drives within his ability and so very well.

[Roamy]

nick is on tap to join JVRacing

[DexDexter]

Anyone else find all this talk about Heidfeld and old Toyotas a bit depressing? It was more fun when we had Bridgestone and Michelin coming in partnering with existing teams and their drivers, splitting the field in two and ramping up to take it to the incumbent tyre manufacturer, mixing the field up and so on.

Control. Tyres. Are. Boring.

Yep, but they make the playground more equal and keep the costs down. Active suspension was interesting as well among many things but just too costly. People just don't seem to realise that these boring measures keep F1 alive and healthy. If we freed up everything, one could expect 1992 all over again but this time the car count would be considerably lower.

[Dave B]

Its not a totally worthless situation butthe issue is how valuable can it be?

The control tyres are the most awful idea that f1 has ever come up with.

The car must adapt to the tyre that is forced on them and the driver then has to hope to god that his style suits it.

In the "good old days" when we had competition - remember it IMPROVES the breed - there were also boutique tyres. It is this situation that has allowed drivers to compete at their best head to head.

One of the best examples was the situation between Rindt and Stewart - Jochen had tyres that were 2 cm wider and they run at different pressure compared to Jackie. Imagine if they were both forced to used the same tyre and it was the sort that favored ONE driver. A mess.

And a mess is what we have now.

And exactly HOW will a 2009 car testing tyres for 2011 be of any use besides Heidfeld only being able to report back based on his style of driving?

It is a load of crap and if FOTA really had BIG ONES they would tell the FIA what to do and go out and make tyre deals with tyre companies themselves and make a stand.

I detest governing bodies without exception. Their power creeps until THEY become the reason for living! By all means have a body that will adjudicate issues based on a RATIONAL body of rules - something that we do not have now.

But at the end of the day it is the teams that have to pay the money and money talks while bs walks!

Schumacher would NEVER have been able to achieve his success with control tyres and all the buggery that it enforces.

Who cares what Heidfeld does? He is over the hill and there are a whole host of up and coming drivers that are far better than he ever was.

Driving an old car on 2011 tyres? Get real!

Or to put it another way:


Control. Tyres. Are. Boring.

I do like the way some can sum up in four words what it takes others whole rambling paragraphs to explain! :p

I sort of agree with both your points, but I also wouldn't want a return to the days where the circus would pitch up with everyone saying, "well this is clearly a Bridgestone track" and half the field are disadvantaged before they've even unpacked the flight cases.

Imagine how momumentally dull the sport would be if, say, Spa-Francorchamps was known to be a Brembo circuit rather than a Hitco one.

[ArrowsFA1]

Imagine how momumentally dull the sport would be if, say, Spa-Francorchamps was known to be a Brembo circuit rather than a Hitco one.
Have you been reading old Peter Windsor articles Dave? :p

[turismo6]

Heidfeld to Force India 2011

[Dave B]

Have you been reading old Peter Windsor articles Dave? :p
Gawd no! His tedium and Matt Bishop's ego were the reasons I stopped buying F1 Racing! :)

[maximilian]

Heidfeld to Force India 2011
No thanks. Time to give Paul di Resta a run there. Nick should race for Renault.

[Big Ben]

It's a shame because although he's not spectacular he has the quality to be in f1 ahead of some maybe even 10 drivers we see these days racing or at least trying to.

[Roamy]

did you see the beautiful toyota car he is testing. FIA you are disgusting PUKES
All of this wasted because of a jealous TOAD!!

[maximilian]

did you see the beautiful toyota car he is testing. FIA you are disgusting PUKES
All of this wasted because of a jealous TOAD!!
It's last year's Toyota.

[Roamy]

doesn't matter the whole program should have been picked up and present in F1 today. With the expenses to throw all this away is absolutely crazy.

[Saint Devote]

It's a shame because although he's not spectacular he has the quality to be in f1 ahead of some maybe even 10 drivers we see these days racing or at least trying to.

If you believe that then those 10 drivers should noy be iin f1.

This love affair that people have with Heidifeld's abilities remind me of the same emotion that existed with Jos Verstappen.

There is a reason why Heidfeld does not have a drive and it is because there is nothing special he brings and he has had his opportunity on f1.

There are just too many good drivers in the feeder series with great potential.

Bye, bye Nick!

[Saint Devote]

Or to put it another way:

I do like the way some can sum up in four words what it takes others whole rambling paragraphs to explain! :p

Well then you ignore the reasons why control tyres are a bad idea - boring is certainly not remotely a primary one or even accurate.

But thats what happens you want everything in soundbite.

[turismo6]

did you see the beautiful toyota car he is testing. FIA you are disgusting PUKES
All of this wasted because of a jealous TOAD!!

I'm sure I read somewhere (Probable this forum) that the 2010 Toyota will be used by HRT in 2011.

Also what engine is the Pirelli test car? Is Toyota runing the program paid by Pirelli or has Pirelli bought car + runing equipment?

[V12]

I sort of agree with both your points, but I also wouldn't want a return to the days where the circus would pitch up with everyone saying, "well this is clearly a Bridgestone track" and half the field are disadvantaged before they've even unpacked the flight cases.

Imagine how momumentally dull the sport would be if, say, Spa-Francorchamps was known to be a Brembo circuit rather than a Hitco one.

I get what you're saying, but you must admit during the half-decade of the M.Schumacher monopoly, when he didn't win it tended to be Montoya, Ralf, Raikkonen or Alonso on a "Michelin circuit" that punctuated the usual order, which for me at the time was great.

And I personally wouldn't complain about a "brake war" but I guess I'm just a nerd like that :p :

[pettersolberg29]

Heidfeld to Force India 2011

Not sure where to put this, but I've just got a text from a mate who has said that Petrov may sign for Lotus for 2011, with Sutil moving to Renault and Heidfeld going to Force India. Liuzzi is wanted by Virgin, giving Di Resta a chance too.

However, he may have nicked the rumour from a Malaysian website which is reporting it today. Just thought it was worth sharing to give some hope to the Heidfeld fans on here.

[Jag_Warrior]

Poor sod. Half a season of waiting for Schumacher to slip on a banana skin, and instead of getting rewarded with a drive with last year's championship-winning team he gets to plod round in an old Toyota testing rubber.

:rotflmao:

[jens]

I can see Heidfeld going to Force India only if Sutil moves on... presumably to Renault then.

[Mia 01]

Once again Kimi holds the key to the driver market.

[pettersolberg29]

An early return for Nick? How does this affect his tyre testing?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/86674

[ioan]

I wish I could remember where did I see/read that Credit Suisse will announce 1 new F1 sponsorship at the Singapore GP week end.

Looks like these two events might be related.

Good to see Nick back home, if this is true.

[steveaki13]

Would De La Rosa go into tyre testing for Pirelli if Nick got his race seat.

Couldn't get a more experienced tester than Pedro.

[CNR]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8994638.stm


He has done two extensive tests for Pirelli, which is well advanced in designing its new F1 tyres, and it is understood he has now extricated himself from those commitments.

[DexDexter]

I wish I could remember where did I see/read that Credit Suisse will announce 1 new F1 sponsorship at the Singapore GP week end.

Looks like these two events might be related.

Good to see Nick back home, if this is true.

Good news, Sauber is a good midfield team and with Nick and possibly Credit Suisse they will be even better for next year. F1 needs teams like that.

[Sonic]

"all you can do is step back in time..."

[Ranger]

Confirmed: Heidfeld in.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/86691

[ShiftingGears]

Cool. Will be interesting to see how Kobayashi fares against him.