They may have already secured their two race drivers for next season in Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher, but German newspaper Bild is suggesting that Nick Heidfeld will slot into a test role with the team.

Heidfeld would complete the all Germanic line up while bringing great experience and back up to the team, where the fitness of the returning Michael Schumacher is far from assured.

However head of Mercedes motorsport Norbert Haug is dampening the speculation, saying:

‘There has only been basic contact with Nick, which is what I have had for several years.

‘We did talk to Nick about possibilities with Mercedes Grand Prix as well as McLaren-Mercedes.”

Heidfeld has driven for 10 years in F1, starting in 2000. He has driven for Prost, Sauber, Jordan, Williams and BMW Sauber. In this time he has amassed 219 points with 12 podiums, but he has never won a Grand Prix.