Sauber has officially confirmed that Nick Heidfeld will replace Pedro de la Rosa for the remainder of the season.

An official statement issued this morning reads:

Sauber Motorsport announces a driver change: From the Singapore Grand Prix, 23rd to 26th of September 2010, until the end of the season Nick Heidfeld will be driving the second C29 alongside Japan's Kamui Kobayashi. Thirty three-year-old Heidfeld from Germany replaces Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa (39). The team's contract with Nick Heidfeld comes into effect on Friday, 17th September.

Peter Sauber: "It was a hard decision for me to make as a Team Principal and I want to thank Pedro for his professionalism. By signing Nick we have a driver we know extremely well who will help us to further judge the comparative potential of our car."

Pedro de la Rosa: "I am surprised by the team's decision, but I respect it and would like to wish everyone good luck for the remainder of the season. I still intend to be in Formula One for 2011."

Nick Heidfeld: "I'm looking forward like crazy to having the opportunity to go racing again in a good car in Formula One from the Singapore Grand Prix onwards. After the last months I'm even more motivated than ever. For me it is like coming home, as I raced for seven years in total for the team from Hinwil. Without doubt I will be feeling at home straight away and this should help me to familiarise myself as soon as possible with the car. I want to thank Peter Sauber for the faith he has put in me."

Many were surprised when de la Rosa got the Sauber driver, for while he has earned a reputation as one of the leading test drivers - having spent seven years with McLaren - his last full season in F1 was way back in 2002 when he raced with Jaguar.

Thus far this season, teammate Kamui Kobayashi has scored points finishes in five races - his best result being sixth at Silverstone - while the Spaniard's only points scoring finish came in Hungary when he finished seventh. Then again, the Sauber is the least reliable car thus far this season, having only finished 14 times from 27 starts and completing just 61.7 percent of the total race laps thus far.

Heidfeld - who drove for the Swiss team between 2001 and 2003 then again between 2006 and 2009 when BMW owned the Hinwil based outfit - quit his role as test driver with the Mercedes team to take up the position of test driver with Pirelli ahead of its return to F1 next season. However, his contract contained an opt-out clause which would see him released should an F1 seat become available