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Nick Heidfeld to race in Buenos Aires after successful shakedown

Nick Heidfeld will make his Formula E race return in Buenos Aires after evaluating his injured wrist in the event's Friday shakedown

The Mahindra driver tore the scapholunate ligament in his left wrist after catching a wild slide in the Putrajaya ePrix last November.

He missed the race in Punta del Este having undergone surgery and had two pins put through his hand.

They were removed in early January but the extended period without using the muscles left Heidfeld with minimal hand movement.

A run in the Mahindra simulator and an old GP2 car at Valencia last week convinced Heidfeld to travel to Buenos Aires to take part in the shakedown and evaluate the recovery further.

He has now decided to continue for the remainder of the event.

"I thought there might be a chance to drive here although my therapist said at first it was impossible," he told Autosport before the session.

"But the test in an old GP2 car last week in Valencia showed there was a good chance.

"I didn't have any pain, I did a couple of laps without major problems. I didn't push it to the limit, but it was enough to decide to come here and do the shakedown and decide afterwards.

"The big difference is the corners are a lot tighter so I need more movement, and in the Formula E car you can turn the steering wheel a lot. The other problem is it's a lot more bumpy here."

Adam Carroll was called out to Buenos Aires by Mahindra and would have replaced Heidfeld if the German had opted not to race.

Carroll, who took Team Ireland to the 2008/9 A1GP title and won races in GP2, tested with Mahindra in the summer and almost joined the team for season two.

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