Grosjean Replaces Heidfeld As Pirelli Tester

Romain Grosjean will replace Nick Heidfeld in the test session that Pirelli will perform next week at Monza circuit.

Romain Grosjean received an unexpected chance to drive again the Formula 1 car, after brief experience as a driver of the Renault team in the last part of the previous season.

Heidfeld had been released from his contract with Mercedes GP to test for the Italian company, which is taking over from Bridgestone as F1′s sole supplier next year.

However, it was announced earlier this week that the Nick Heidfeld is to replace Pedro de la Rosa at BMW Sauber, beginning at next weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.

Understanding between Grosjean and Pirelli is valid only for testing at Monza, with a chance that the French are in turn replaced in the following evaluations. After Renault withdrew its services, Grosjean has competed sporadically in sports cars and had a brief experience in GP2.

 Moreover, the Italian manufacturer has confirmed that is considering whether to offer the same specifications for tires in Formula 1 and GP2, but a final decision in this regard will be taken by the FIA.

Pirelli thanked Heidfeld for his contribution after the German completed some 200 laps over a two day test at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain at the wheel of last year’s Toyota TF109 car.

“The tests here at Jerez have gone extremely well and we completed all the work that we planned over the two days,”  said Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery.

“Now we move on to Monza where our task will be to finalise the (tyre) construction before we focus further on compounds.”