Nick Heidfeld named Mercedes test driver

Mercedes GP have announced Nick Heidfeld as the team's test and reserve driver for the 2010 Formula One season.

Heidfeld brings a wealth of experience to the role having been a feature on the grand prix grid for the past decade, during which time he has raced for Prost, Sauber, Jordan, Williams and BMW Sauber.

The 32-year-old completes an all-German line-up at Mercedes alongside regular race drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg.

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn is confident Heidfeld can contribute greatly to the development of the team's new car, which turned a wheel in anger for the first time at this week's multi-team test in Valencia.

"It's a great pleasure for us to have signed a driver of the calibre and experience of Nick Heidfeld as our reserve race driver and test driver for the 2010 season," said Brawn, whose eponymous team was the subject of a takeover by Mercedes following last year's title-winning campaign.

"Nick has over 10 years of experience in Formula One working with established teams and he will be a great asset to Mercedes GP Petronas."