Nick Heidfeld has admitted he is struggling to adapt to being just a reserve driver for Mercedes in 2010.
The German decided to hold-out for a race seat with a ‘top’ team in 2010. He confirmed he was in talks with Mclaren, but the departure of Jenson Button, to the Woking team closed that door.
“I was in negotiations with McLaren, but then Jenson [Button] went there.”
He then came close to signing alongside fellow German Nico Rosberg to fill Button’s seat, but the late call to sign Michael Schumacher resulted in Heidfeld settling for the reserve role.
“It is still unusual, especially when you go to qualifying, I’m struggling with it,” he told the German newspaper FAZ. “Previously this was always the moment where there was an adrenaline rush, and off you went. I really miss it.”
Heidfeld now watches qualifying and the race from the sidelines, but insists he made the right call at the time, holding out for a ‘top’ seat rather than settling for a back-marker offer: “I have taken this decision because it was for me the best option.”
He also added that he remains confident of securing a seat for 2011.
“I am convinced that I [will] again get a place [on the grid in 2011].
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