(CNN) -- Nick Heidfeld has left his role as reserve driver at Mercedes to become a tester for Pirelli ahead of the Italian company's return to Formula One as the sport's sole tire supplier next year. 

The 33-year-old German had driven in F1 for a decade but was left without a seat when BMW ended its association with the Sauber team at the end of last season. 

He was given a lifeline when Mercedes took over the world champion Brawn GP team this year, becoming back-up to returning seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg. 

"I would like to thank Ross Brawn, Norbert Haug and Nick Fry for allowing me the opportunity to become Pirelli's official test driver," Heidfeld told F1's official website. 

"The team has always said that they would not stand in my way if such a chance arose, and they have kindly allowed me to take up this exciting new role." 

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn said: "Nick is an extremely experienced driver and we are confident that his racing knowledge and technical feedback will prove extremely useful to Pirelli and therefore of benefit to the sport as a whole." 

Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice-president Haug said the move might help Heidfeld find a drive for 2011. 

"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 tire development, in addition to his skills, puts him in a good position for the remaining seats in 2011," Haug said.  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What is Nick Heidfeld's age?
2. State the age of Nick Heidfeld.
3. Tell us how old Nick Heidfeld is.
Q2:
1. What has Nick Heidfeld done for the past 10 years?
2. How has Nick Heidfeld spent the last 10 years?
3. What has been Nick Heidfeld's occupation for the last 10 years?
Q3:
1. Did Nick Heidfeld recently switch roles?
2. Did Nick Heidfeld just start doing something new?
3. Did Nick Heidfeld just change occupations?
Q4:
1. What is Nick Heidfeld doing now?
2. How is Nick Heidfeld currently employed?
3. What is Nick Heidfeld's current occupation?
Q5:
1. What is Nick Heidfeld a tester of?
2. What is Nick Heidfeld testing?
3. What has Nick Heidfeld recently switched to being a tester of?
Q6:
1. Does Nick Heidfeld indicate that he is grateful to anyone?
2. Is it implied that Nick Heidfeld feels gratitude towards someone?
3. Is Nick Heidfeld's thankfulness ot someone expressed?
Q7:
1. How many people is Nick Heidfeld thankful for?
2. How many does Nick Heidfeld express his gratitude towards?
3. What is the number of people that Nick Heidfeld is grateful for?
Q8:
1. Who does Nick Heidfeld express his gratitude towards?
2. To whom is Nick Heidfeld thankful?
3. Who does Nick Heidfeld give thanks to?
Q9:
1. Who besides Ross Brawn does Nick Heidfeld express his gratitude towards?
2. To whom is Nick Heidfeld thankful in addition to Ross Brawn?
3. Who does Nick Heidfeld give thanks to, other than Ross Brawn?
Q10:
1. Who besides Ross Brawn and Norbert Haug does Nick Heidfeld express his gratitude towards?
2. To whom is Nick Heidfeld thankful in addition to Ross Brawn and Norbert Haug?
3. Who does Nick Heidfeld give thanks to, other than Ross Brawn and Norbert Haug?
Q11:
1. Who in the article is a vice-president?
2. What vice-president does the article talk about?
3. What vice-president appears in the article?
Q12:
1. What is Norbert Haug the vice-president of?
2. What organization ahs Norbert Haug as a vice-president?
3. Where does Norbert Haug serve as a vice-president?
Q13:
1. What does Norbert Haug think might happen?
2. What may take place in the opinion of Norbert Haug?
3. What does Norbert Haug think may occur?
