( CNN ) -- Nick Heidfeld has joined Mercedes as back-up for Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg to complete the new team 's line-up for the 2010 Formula One season . The 32-year-old , who raced for BMW Sauber for the past four years and has a decade of experience in motorsport 's elite category , will take on a testing role and also be a reserve driver . `` I am very pleased to be joining the Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One team , '' the German told official Web site www.mercedes-gp.com on Thursday . `` It 's the team which has attracted the most interest in the close season , not only because of the comeback of Michael Schumacher , but also because this season sees the return of the Silver Arrows cars as a Mercedes-Benz works team for the first time in over 50 years . `` While I would of course have preferred a seat as an active driver , I am really proud to be part of the new Silver Arrows team . I have seen how committed everyone at the team is and I feel the same . I will be doing my very best to support Michael and Nico this year . '' Heidfeld has a long association with Mercedes , which took over the world champion Brawn team at the end of last year . He was supported by the German manufacturer as a junior driver , and then was test driver for McLaren Mercedes for the 1998 and 1999 seasons before earning his first race drive with Prost in 2000 . Since then he has competed in 167 grands prix , achieving 12 podium finishes , but was left without a team when BMW pulled out of F1 last year . He joins a team led by Ross Brawn , who led the outfit to shock double world titles in 2009 as Jenson Button won the drivers ' crown and Rubens Barrichello placed third overall to help clinch the manufacturers ' championship . Button has since moved to McLaren while veteran Brazilian Barrichello joined Williams , one of Heidfeld 's former teams .
Nick Heidfeld joins Mercedes as back-up for Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg . The German will be reserve driver for the new team and also take on testing role . The 32-year-old spent the past four years at BMW Sauber and has driven in 167 races . He was a test driver with Williams last year but is now set to join Mercedes.