Ex-BMW-Sauber driver and current Mercedes GP test driver, Nick Heidfeld has revealed that Michael Schumacher apologised to the fellow German for taking his seat at the team.
Heidfeld was favourite to take the open seat at Mercedes to partner Nico Rosberg, and as a result decided to concentrate on securing the Mercedes seat rather than negotiate with McLaren who, according to Heidfeld were keen on signing the experienced German.
“McLaren wanted to have me, the negotiations were very close to a conclusion,” he said.
Meanwhile, talks between Jenson Button and Mercedes broke down, resulting in the 2009 champion leaving the team and striking up a deal with McLaren.
With an empty slot where Button had once been, Ross Brawn accelerated talks with Michael Schumacher, who inevitably took the position Heidfeld was vying for.
This led to Heidfeld having to take a reserve role with the team.
“When we saw one another at the Jerez test for the first time, he in a way apologised to me that he had taken the place. It was a nice gesture, but if the reverse was true, I would have done the same,” added Heidfeld.
The 33-year old insisted he could make a return to a race seat in 2011 if all goes well.
“For 2011 I see a good chance of getting back a race seat.”
