Aug.17 (GMM) Nick Heidfeld has left his post as Mercedes' reserve driver.

The 33-year-old German on Tuesday kicked off Pirelli's 2011 tyre development programme at Mugello, at the wheel of a 2009 Toyota.

A statement issued by Mercedes confirmed that Heidfeld "has been released from his contract" so that he can work with the Italian marque.

"It would be great to see Nick in a competitive car in next year's world championship and I am sure his leading role in the new tyre development puts him in a good position for the remaining seats," said Norbert Haug.

At the same time, Pirelli confirmed reports that Toyota's TF109, raced by the Cologne based team before pulling out of F1 at the end of last season, will be the car driven by Heidfeld.

"We have a policy of complete impartiality, so we did not want to favour any existing team," explained the Italian marque's F1 chief Paul Hembery.

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