Heidfeld needs lift at Spa to secure F1 future

LONDON, England (AP) Nick Heidfeld acknowledges he is under pressure to perform with question marks hanging over his BMW Sauber future.
Nick Heidfeld knows his future at BMW Sauber hinges on him delivering strong results before the end of 2008.

The German has had a topsy-turvy year and while 41 points leaves him sixth in the championship, he has been regularly shown up by team-mate Robert Kubica.

Kubica took the team's first win in Canada in a race Heidfeld could have won, which sums up a season of frustration for the former Williams driver.

And with neither BMW driver yet confirmed for 2009, Heidfeld knows he needs to deliver in the final six races of the year.

"I put myself under pressure more than anybody else could do from the outside," the 31-year-old said.

"It's pretty clear; if one car finishes on the podium and I finish ninth, nobody needs to tell me anything.

"It's all about understanding the problems and then changing some things and trying to go quicker. I think I've made steps forward, but we will find out in the next couple of races."

Heidfeld, who is still searching for his first win in Formula One after 146 races, has only qualified ahead of Kubica once this season.

After shining in comparison with the Pole in 2007, Heidfeld has not been happy with his 2008 car and has only twice attained a top-five grid spot.

This has hurt him in the races, although in general his form in qualifying has improved after a period of mid-season soul-searching.

"I was in a similar situation earlier this year and I thought I had put that behind me," he continued.

"I was then a bit surprised to run into a similar sort of problem again in Valencia. I admit, though, my qualifying form has been erratic, up and down.

"On one hand I've had some bad luck with traffic, and secondly, I have made more mistakes than usual.

"That's obviously something I'm also working on, but I don't think that's as difficult to change as the pace problems I had earlier in the season."

At last year's Belgian Grand Prix, Heidfeld was able to finish as best of the rest behind the two Ferraris and the two McLarens.

And he is hoping for more of the wet weather that allowed him to finish second at the British Grand Prix in July.

"If I would finish there [fifth], most likely it wouldn't be a bad result but nobody knows what will happen here on Sunday," he added.

"The weather forecast isn't the best. It could rain, which I wouldn't mind because I enjoy driving in wet conditions."

 

I hope he can raise his game. Considering he's scored like three 2nd place finishes, I think he hasn't done badly at all. Thing is, BMW is looking to become a championship winning team, so they want championship level drivers. Hopefully Heidfeld can step it up.

 

While driving to the IRL race at Infineon a few weeks ago, my friend and I were discussing the driver market and silly season which seems to be based on Alonso, and my friend, who ranks Heidfeld very highly, felt that he was underperforming and at risk of being replaced by Alonso. I think the BMW is a real sleeper that can be awaken with some good technical talent but Nick does not seem to have it.

 

Both drivers have had some ups and downs but Heidfeld certainly underperforming compared to Kubica. For a while there it seemed either could podium and maybe win any weekend but then they both seemed to drop off. I think it's a combo of BMW losing some of what they had as well as Heidfeld being more affected by their downturn-maybe a lack of focus and confidence. Of course, with what's happened to Ferrari driver's the last few races, luck has a lot to do with it. Hopefully Nick can get it together along with BMW and return to the form they had previously. I'd love to see BMW replace McClaren as the primary opposition to Ferrari!

Jeff

 

i think, Heidi has been struggling with this season's BMW compared to Kubik. he's struggling to get the tyres heated up at the optimum temperature, and thats the one thats pulling down his quali performance. very similiar to Kimster.

i do however, like to see him continue.

 

BMW won't turn into a championship winning team just because Fernando Alonso drives for them. I don't understand where people get the idea that a driver's input is worth nearly what a top class field of engineers, designers, aerodynamicists, mechanics, and proper management can yield. Whether you believe me or not, look at Renault. They have Fernando back, but do you see them improving from last year? look at Mclaren, do you see them struggling without Fred? The truth is, today, the driver has very little to do with car development.

 

i disagree. i think alonso is exactly what BMW needs to take them to the next level. His input clearly helped renault to their two back to back championships.

 

Oh Rly?

Please explain how "his input CLEARLY helped Renault to their two back to back championships". See, I read drivers commenting that they actually DON'T have a big influence on car development, then I read on Fchat about how "great Fred's development skills are", so I'm wondering...where's the proof? Where are you getting this from? I call BS.