The BBC are tonight reporting that Nick Heidfeld has been dropped by Renault for this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix in favour of reserve driver Bruno Senna.
Senna, the 27-year-old nephew of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, competed in eighteen races for HRT last season. The Brazilian also replaced Heidfeld for Free Practice 1 at the last race in Hungary.
Heidfeld was drafted into the team after Robert Kubica suffered severe injuries in a rallying accident back in February. The German finished third at the second race of the season in Malaysia but has since then has not finished higher than seventh. He has two points more than team-mate Vitaly Petrov after 11 races.
The team are yet to confirm the replacement. Autosport.com suggest that Heidfeld is ‘not willing to simply walk away’ from Renault, and it is not clear whether Heidfeld’s contract gives the team the option of dropping him midway through the season, especially when he leads Petrov in the drivers’ standings.
Negotiations between the team and Heidfeld are apparently ongoing and there may be no confirmation from Renault on their drivers for the Belgium Grand Prix until Thursday.
