Mercedes releases Heidfeld for Pirelli tyre testing

The Mercedes GP team has released test and reserve driver Nick Heidfeld from his contract this morning as he begins work as Pirelli's official F1 test driver ahead of the Italian company's return to the sport next season. Heidfeld has been Mercedes's official reserve driver since the start of the season, but with testing duties for Pirelli beginning today in Mugello, Italy, he has been forced to give up his position at the team to ensure a level playing field in 2011.

Having first tested their F1 tyres on a GP2 car last month, Pirelli is today beginning a two-day test with Toyota's 2009 car, the TF109, in Mugello, with further tests at Jerez, Paul Ricard and Monza planned between now and the end of the season.