Formula One: Heidfeld tests Renault as Kubica has surgery

By The Newsroom
Published 9th Feb 2011, 16:35 BST
Updated 10th Feb 2011, 11:56 BST
Nick Heidfeld will get the chance to audition for the role of Robert Kubica's replacement at Lotus Renault after the team confirmed the German will drive for them during this week's four-day test at Jerez in Spain, which starts today.

Heidfeld, who raced for Sauber towards the end of last season, had been seen as one of the favourites to replace Kubica, who is beginning a lengthy rehabilitation after being seriously injured in a crash on the Ronde di Andora rally on Sunday.

Renault team owner Gerard Lopez had hinted early yesterday that Heidfeld or former Force India driver Vitantonio Liuzzi would drive for the team at Jerez, and last night it emerged that 33-year-old Heidfeld has been given the nod to drive the R31 on Saturday and Sunday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A Lotus Renault statement read: "Vitaly Petrov will drive the R31 on Thursday and Friday, as originally scheduled. For Saturday and Sunday, the team will give mileage to Bruno Senna and will also evaluate Nick Heidfeld, who is a potential replacement for Robert Kubica as a race driver.

"The exact running order for the weekend will be confirmed on Friday evening."

Senna, who along with Romain Grosjean is one of Lotus Renault's test drivers for the coming campaign, is seen as another potential replacement for Kubica, but the team are said to be keen to move for an experienced driver to partner Petrov.

The Russian and Senna competed in Formula 1 for the first time last season, with the Brazilian enduring a particularly tough time at the struggling Hispania team.

Heidfeld, on the other hand, has been in the sport since racing for Prost in 2000, going on to have spells with Sauber, Jordan, Williams and BMW Sauber and racking up 172 starts.

Kubica underwent more than seven hours of surgery after Sunday's crash and remains in intensive care at the Santa Corona Hospital in northern Italy. He faces at least two more operations, the first of which, to stabilise fractures to his right shoulder and right foot, is scheduled for today.