F1 veteran Heidfeld set for Porsche Supercup debut

Former F1 racer Nick Heidfeld will return to the grand prix paddock later this month when he makes his debut in the supporting Porsche Supercup series at Hockenheim (July 22).

35-year-old Heidfeld, a veteran of 183 grands prix and 13 podium finishes, will contest his home event at the invitation of Porsche AG, piloting one of the German marque’s 911 GT3 Cup machines. It will mark a further broadening of the Mönchengladbach native’s competitive horizons following several LMP1 outings with Rebellion Racing, including last month’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

“It is a great new challenge for me to compete against all the Porsche specialists in the Supercup," said Heidfeld. "I’m aware that it won’t be easy to match the pace of the front-runners, and that’s exactly what makes this task so exciting.”

“In Le Mans I again experienced first-hand just how much the Porsche brand fascinates people. I personally have two Porsche cars in my collection. This race outing will undoubtedly be a very special experience.”

The move looks set to bolster rumors that Heidfeld will join Porsche for their return to top-flight sportscar racing in 2014, when the Stutggart-based manufacturer is set to join the premier LMP1 class. Heidfeld has impressed in his eaarly forrays into sportscar competition this year, notbaly finishing fourth at Le Mans in the Rebellion machine he shared with Nicolas Prost and Neel Jani.

Watch Porsche Supercup action on Motors TV


James Weeks