The Swiss team, which won both the Teams’ and Constructors’ Le Mans Series titles in 2011, has confirmed that Nick Heidfeld will defend its colours at the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Spa 6 Hours and the Le Mans 24 Hours in one of the team’s two LMP1 prototypes.

After stepping in for the injured Kubica at Lotus-Renault GP at the beginning of 2011, Nick Heidfeld was in turn replaced by Bruno Senna after the Hungarian GP. The German has contested 183 F1 Grands Prix since the 2000 Australian GP. His record includes 13 podium finishes and a pole position.

In 1999, the 34-year old was a Formula 1 test driver for McLaren-Mercedes. The same year, he raced at Le Mans in a factory Mercedes Benz CLR (retired on Lap 75).

“I always knew I would return to endurance racing one day,” he says. “I am delighted to be joining Rebellion Racing. It’s a whole new challenge which begins very soon at Sebring, a track that is completely new to me…”

Said Rebellion Racing boss Bart Hayden: “We received lots of offers from drivers for Sebring and Le Mans. Nick Heidfeld was available and was looking for a fresh challenge. He is fast, very experienced and enthusiastic. We are very pleased to have in in our team and we will be counting on him at Sebring, the opening round of the WEC.”

Rebellion Racing’s squad appears to be complete now, with Belicchi/Bleekemolen/Primat and Prost/Jani/ Heidfeld listed to share the two Lola-Toyota LMP1 prototypes which will race on Michelin rubber.

Tomorrow (Thursday, February 2), the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) will release the list of entries for the World Endurance Championship and for the 80th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

2012 Le Mans 24 Hours, FIA World Endurance Championship 2012, Lola-Toyota, Nick Heidfeld, Rebellion Racing