BMW tell Heidfeld to lift his game

BMW Sauber have told Nick Heidfeld that he must lift his game more to convince them he has got over his early season problems with their car if he wants to remain as Robert Kubica's teammate next year.

The Hinwil-based team have, as autosport.com exclusively predicted in May, taken up Kubica's option for 2009.

High level sources have also revealed that attempts by BMW chiefs to tie Kubica down for their preferred three-year period failed, with the Pole adamant he wants to be a free agent for 2010.

Kubica's new deal is unlikely to be announced until the team know who his teammate will be, and Heidfeld's up-and-down form is making their decision on him far from straightforward.

For although Heidfeld had made big progress in recent races to overcome the qualifying issues, setbacks in Hungary and Valencia have once again cast doubts about how on top of the issues he is.

And BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen has made it clear that he wants to see more strong qualifying performance from Heidfeld before he is sure that the German is the right man for his team in 2009.

When asked by autosport.com if he had seen enough yet of Heidfeld's step forward to be convinced for next year, Theissen said: "I am not sure. What we saw in Valencia was mixed again and, in the second run in qualifying two, it was almost a perfect lap. He was struggling before in two specific areas of the track and in that one lap he was able to do that very cleanly.

"I hope it gives him the confidence to be strong again in the races, he has been strong, I think he will be back on track."

When asked if the qualifying factor was going to play a key factor in his team's driver decision for 2009, Theissen said: "It has to, because if you look what you can do from P10, it is limited."

BMW Sauber have not confirmed their taking up of Kubica's option, or the fact they would have preferred a three-year deal, although Theissen did admit last weekend that longer term contracts were more favourable.

"In F1 stability is an important factor, that is what I can say," he said. "That applies to the driver as well as to the key engineers, even the operational tasks. It is so important.

"Generally, I would favour a longer term arrangement on the driver side."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70097


It seems Heidfeld and kimi are having similar issues, but obviously Nick's situation is worse. He's put in some awesome drives, he has three 2nd place finishes this year. I don't want to see him dropped by BMW, so he needs to get on top of this.

 

Kubica would be a good fit for Ferrari. I think Alonso to Ferrari is by no means a done deal with Kubica free. He is a trouble-free untarnished charger. I would prefer him at Ferrari over Alonso. He has done incredibly well with a car in winter testing that was called unstable. He is trouncing Nick. I would say car development is something he may have a talent for. With his 1 yr deal and his refusal of a 3 yr deal to the team, well, take a guess who is probably talking to him.

 

That's what I was thinking, he's holding out for Ferrari.

 

Mr Max,

Yes, he may be. Eastern Europe is hot for growth and growth in racing in Moscow etc. The support Kubica has in the region is immense. I attended the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix and the crowd there supporting him was amazing. They came from as far as the Ukraine and in great numbers with many Poles of course. Its a good decision for Ferrari I think to employ him. Marketing wise and it fits the growth in the region we know Berney is encouraging. Its makes a great story and its not quite as noisy as the one surrounding LH.

He seems a bit Kimi-esque and is not a loud person from what Ive read and heard in the paddock in Budapest. He seems well liked and is evidently capable. 2010 will be wild for driver moves, the speculation ever WILDER Great fun F1 is!

 

Jim, I can go with that, I prefer Vettel though.

 

Would you be upset with a Vettel Kubica pairing?

 

No Charles , pretty awesome duo IMO.

 

+1

 

+4
I also agree that Alonso to Ferrari is a reach and far from a done deal. I would prefer Kubica over Alonso as well. A fresh, unwhored semi virgin driver with an abundance of talent. I wasn't so sure of him last year with his slow start, but he has proven to be a genuine force in F1.

 

I like it, but I'm a little concerned about Vettel's poor judgement at times.

 

i dunno what happened in Valencia for Nick, but he certainly got blocked in quali at Hungary. well, i would like Robert sticking at BMW and turning them into potential champs, just like Alonso going to Honda and doing the same thing.

why would we want all the best drivers driving for Ferrari? it would be a boring battle between Ferrari & Mac. imagine BMW, Honda and Williams battling out for pole positions and race wins.