 As part of its launch announcement in February 1999 , Mercedes named nine drivers to the team . Retained from the FIA GT programme were Christophe Bouchut , Jean @-@ Marc Gounon , Bernd Schneider , Marcel Tiemann , and Mark Webber . Nick Heidfeld , then a test driver for the McLaren Mercedes Formula One team , was added to the team for his first experience with sports cars . Former Macau Grand Prix winner and All @-@ Japan Formula Three champion Peter Dumbreck also came from an open wheel racing background . Pedro Lamy , 1998 FIA GT2 Champion , was drafted from the Oreca Chrysler team to participate at Le Mans and in the Deutsche Tourewagen Masters for Mercedes , while Franck Lagorce transferred from Nissan 's Le Mans squad . Darren Turner , also a test driver for McLaren , served as the team 's reserve driver for Le Mans . 
