Zoom The Nordschleife remains extra special to Heidfeld

With three straight finishes outside of the top ten, BMW Sauber veteran Nick Heidfeld is hoping for better at his home Grand Prix at the Nurburgring next Sunday as the Hinwil-based team introduce the latest aerodynamic package to the so-far poor F1.09 challenger.

“It goes without saying that our verdict on the season at the half-way point is anything but positive - especially when you compare our results so far with our (championship) aims going into the season,” the Malaysian Grand Prix runner-up stated. “Of course I hope we will make improvements, and that’s what everybody in the team is working to achieve.”

Heidfeld has happy memories of the Nurburgring circuit from his childhood and also from 2005 where he took the runner-up position in the BMW-powered Williams.

“I went there a lot with my parents when I was a child and the ‘Ring is only an hour away from my home town of Monchengladbach,” he recalls. “In winter we went sledging on the Hohe Acht slopes, I learnt to ride a bicycle at the Nurburgring and this was also where I sat in a kart for the first time - with a tyre and a blanket wedged behind my back so that I could reach the pedals!

“Since then I’ve competed in races at the ‘Ring in Formula Ford, Formula 3 and Formula 3000 and celebrated many victories there. My best Nurburgring result in Formula One was in 2005 when I took pole position and finished second in the race itself.

“For me, the Nordschleife is the most sensational race track in the world. In April 2007 I drove our Formula One car on the circuit, which was just brilliant! It was amazing to turn off the Grand Prix course onto the Nordschleife and drive along this huge race track all alone in front of all those people.”

While Heidfeld and the team endure a difficult season, the ninth round of the championship will see the German racer display a new crash helmet livery.

“A lot of fans and fan club members traditionally come to my home race,” he continued. “That is something I really enjoy and it gives me an extra shot of motivation. I will once again be lining up for my home race with a special helmet design. This year it has been created by a fan on my website, and he will present me with the helmet before the start of practice on Friday.”

Earl ALEXANDER
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