13 February,2011 07:48 AM IST | | AFP
Nick Heidfeld staked his claim to replace the injured Robert Kubica this season when posting the quickest time for Lotus Renault on the third day of pre-season testing here on Saturday.
The German clocked a best time of one min 20.361sec, with Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari next best in 1:20.493.
Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, quickest on Friday, came in third in his Mercedes ahead of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.
Former Williams and Sauber pilot Heidfeld is being put through his paces at Jerez this weekend to see how he handles the new Lotus Renault with team principal Eric Boullier pinpointing him as favourite to replace Kubica.
