Heidfeld replaces Rosa for rest of Sauber season

Sep 14, 2010 |

Hinwil (Switzerland) Sept. 14: Formula One team Sauber replaced Pedro de la Rosa with Nick Heidfeld on Tuesday, appointing the experienced driver for the remainder of the 2010 season.

Heidfeld, who drove for Sauber from 2001-03 and then again from 2006-09 when the team was run by BMW, will take over for the next race in Singapore.

“It was a hard decision,” Team principal Peter Sauber said in a statement.

“By signing Nick we have a driver we know extremely well who will help us to further judge the comparative potential of our car.”

The 33-year-old German said he was “looking forward like crazy” to returning to a race drive, and thanked Peter Sauber “for the faith he has put in me”.

“For me it is like coming home, as I raced for seven years in total for the team from Hinwil,” Heidfeld said. “Without doubt I will be feeling at home straight away and this should help me to familiarize myself as soon as possible with the car.”

The 31-year-old Pedro de la Rosa returned to an F1 race drive with Sauber this year after seven years as test driver for McLaren. However, he had been outperformed by teammate Kamui Kobayashi, getting just six championship points compared to 21 for the Japanese driver.

“I am surprised by the team’s decision, but I respect it and would like to wish everyone good luck for the remainder of the season,” De la Rosa said. “I still intend to be in Formula One for 2011.”

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