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German veteran Nick Heidfeld is tipped to replace Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa at Sauber for the rest of the season.
(Motorsport Total.com) - Nick Heidfeld will start next Formula 1 race in Singapore again have a race seat. The Moenchengladbach, who began the year as the replacement driver for Mercedes and most recently acted as an official test driver for Pirelli is apparently hired for the third time at Sauber. Heidfeld was from 2001 to 2003 and in the years 2006 to 2009 already under contract in Hinwil. The 33-year-old will replace Pedro de la Rosa.
The Spaniard, who left for many years as a test driver for McLaren since the beginning of the season for Sauber was often below expectations. Athletic drew de la Rosa in the team often duel against the young Japanese Kamui Kobayashi lose out, but thought he was probably some time in the business commercial reasons. According to information of 'auto motor und sport', there was supposedly already in Silverstone attempt to replace the Spaniard by Heidfeld.
De la Rosa had, however, was still strong arguments. Sauber could enjoy several races a deal with Burger King, which expired recently, however. This sponsorship deal with Burger King had one eingestielt Spain, de la Rosa had apparently been involved in the background a lot from it. Since Monza is the fast-food chain is no longer seen on the C29.
In the paddock in Italy was then well fixed, finally, the replacement of the experienced Formula 1 Spaniard. After the race was de la Rosa into the office of Peter Sauber and CEO Monisha Kaltenborn called 15 minutes later he had sought with sad Gesichstausdruck and his wife flee. The face spoke volumes.
Officially, the driver will change, no one confirmed. Peter Sauber will not comment on its drivers at present. "I can say right now is that I can not say anything," the response from Heidfeld manager André Theuer is time to demand of 'Motorsport-Total.com'. But there is an undercurrent in all of the responses, which makes plain clear that the Heidfeld change is imminent.
Why do you hesitate to make known the new deal? In the background is certainly working hard on the solution. Lawyers need to clarify the contract resolution with de la Rosa, Heidfeld must agree with Pirelli. The upcoming Formula 1 track test in Spain this week will probably continue for the German, then you could draw a line - or not.
Heifeld has for information by 'Motorsport-Total.com' is neither an exclusive agreement with Pirelli, still must obtain the prior approval of his employer's Mercedes. With the Stuttgart found a clean solution, the contractual relationship dissolved completely. If Heidfeld was seen in Monza too often in the Mercedes-Hospitality, then there were more friendly than contractual commitments that led him there.
For the short-term Sauber could change before the race in Singapore pay at year end. If Heidfeld meet expectations, then takes more than last count de la Rosa, then the Swiss might well still have a chance to come in the overall standings by Williams. The jump in seventh place in the constructors championship would mean that you get significantly more money from the marketing pot from Bernie Ecclestone.
Also for Heidfeld, the jump will be able to pay into the Sauber cockpit. The Moenchengladbach could recommend in race for 2011. Besides a lot of experience and insider knowledge on the new Pirelli tires that would employ an additional argument for every team, with a possible commitment to the 33-year-olds for the coming year.
Two questions remain: Will Heidfeld while Pirelli tests are allowed to drive? Who will get the place in 2011 with Sauber? The Italian tire company will be the test pilots reluctant to want to trade in the middle of development. Therefore, one can assume that Heidfeld will operate two tracks. In case of emergency would be with Pedro de la Rosa, however, an experienced successor ready as Pirelli tester.
Sauber will, of course, first to evaluate the services of Heidfeld. But the chances of a follow-on contract for 2011 are currently still rather small. Before the clean-door stand on two possible new entrants. The new GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado could be on his manager Nicolas Todt talks for weeks, Sergio Perez hired with millions of Mexican telecom giant Carlos Slim (Telmex). Little room for Heidfeld - unless, Kobayashi is canvassed by a team for 2011 ...
So back to McLaren test driver for Pedro de la Rosa, to be honest I'd rather see Nick in a Sauber, two reasons really (1) Nick is a good driver if not spectacular, and (2) he'll push Kobayashi on; I think de la Rosa has been a test driver for too long and isn't pushing Kobayashi as hard I believe Nick Heidfeld will!
You can't keep a good man down.
Delarosa has been a waste of a seat, to be losing to an almost rookie this way is embarassing (no matter how talented Koba might be)
Heidfeld and Kobayashi sounds much more like an up and coming F1 team. Ever since Delarosa was confirmed for Sauber at the start I was thinking Peter Sauber had lost his head! Why pick a guy who NEVER performed in his career and was testing cars for the past decade or so.
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
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