Nick Heidfeld fits the bill to spearhead new tyre supplier Pirelli's testing programme according to competition boss Paul Hembery.

Previously, on the basis of fairness to all the other teams, it was believed Heidfeld had been ruled out due to his ongoing role as Mercedes' reserve driver. 

Pirelli, F1's new official tyre supplier beginning next year, recently started testing its 2011 prototypes, but only with a GP2 car. It is believed the marque will use a 2009 Toyota Formula One car for its real development testing in the forthcoming months.

"We need an extremely experienced but also very fit driver, who can do 500 miles a day and not collapse afterwards. Heidfeld fits this profile very well and would be an ideal candidate," Hembery told Auto Bild. "Until the last race in Abu Dhabi, we will do six tests with an F1 car from 2009."

He said the tests will be held at venues including Monza, Barcelona, Jerez and Paul Ricard and that the tests would not be lap times, but the development of 'consistent and reliable tyres'.

Heidfeld last drove a Formula One car - the BMW Sauber F1.09 - in Abu Dhabi last year.