FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Following a poor showing at Valencia last weekend, Nick Heidfeld's future in Formula One is back under a dark cloud.
"When we are in a position to do so, we need to be scoring with both cars," BMW Sauber team boss Mario Theissen was quoted as saying by RTL after the

European Grand Prix, where Robert Kubica finished on the podium and Heidfeld was ninth and out of the points.

Dispensing with Heidfeld, however, could be an expensive option for BMW - not only will the Swiss-based outfit need to replace the veteran with a talented successor, but it is understood Heidfeld is already firmly under contract, with a multi-million dollar retainer, for 2009.

In the German press, however, it is rumoured that Heidfeld's managers Andre Theuerzeit and Werner Heinz nonetheless recognise the gravity of the situation and are on the hunt for a back-up plan.

Theuerzeit was spotted more than once in the Red Bull motor home at Valencia, possibly to explore the vacancies at the energy drink company's junior team Toro Rosso.

However, another team boss with a vacancy for next year, Honda's Nick Fry, is quoted as telling the German newspaper AZ when asked about a 2009 berth: "Heidfeld? No."

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

[bud]

clearly his problems are with the current spec tyres, surely they would check into Nicks performance on slicks before ditching him to the kerb?

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

BMW tell Heidfeld to lift his game

By Jonathan Noble Wednesday, August 27th 2008, 13:02 GMT

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 (read this week's edition of Autosport for an indepth analysis on Kubica's situation).

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."

[EwanM]

From autosport.com:

BMW tell Heidfeld to lift his game

By Jonathan Noble Wednesday, August 27th 2008, 13:02 GMT

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 (read this week's edition of Autosport for an indepth analysis on Kubica's situation).

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."

It hasn't been spoken about for a while, but could Alonso-Kubica happen at BMW next year?
What about a surprise move like Senna or Pantano?

I personally think they'll keep Heidfeld, but watch this space.
Heidfeld to Renault? Honda? - Id think Di Grassi would have a shout at Renault mind you

[EwanM]

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3 ... 23,00.html

'Kubica agrees one-year extension'
Tuesday 26th August 2008


Robert Kubica is reported to have agreed a one-year contract extension with BMW - setting him on a collision course with Fernando Alonso to take Kimi Raikkonen's seat at Ferrari in 2010.


It is a measure of the regard with which Kubica is held by BMW that the team have apparently agreed to the Pole only committing his future to them for a further twelve months having previously indicated they would only sign-off a three-year deal. If Kubica's contract extension only amounts to a single year then it amounts to BMW bosses effectively accepting that Kubica will depart at the end of 2009 unless they provide a car capable of winning a World Championship.


Kubica is bound to have an eye on the seat currently occupied at Ferrari by Kimi Raikkonen but which is expected to become available in 2010 when the Finn's contract expires. That is also believed to be the long-term goal of Fernando Alonso, with rumours also rife that the former World Championship is on the verge of signing a one-year deal with Honda that would also allow him to depart for Ferrari if the team fail to provide evidence next season that they can challenge for victories and titles.

[Denthúl]

clearly his problems are with the current spec tyres, surely they would check into Nicks performance on slicks before ditching him to the kerb?

I think it's less to do with the tyres themselves and possibly more to do with the fact that the F1.08 may have been designed to suit Kubica's driving style - a very aggressive one - more than Heidfeld's. They may have done something to the car so that Kubica could push and not have the tyre issues that Lewis seems to with the McLaren. As a result, Heidfeld's much smoother and far less aggressive driving style is unsuitable for such a car. It's all a theory, but it seems to be the most logical explanation at the moment. Just look at how he did in last year's car, one which he didn't struggle to qualify in.

I'd like to see BMW Sauber build a car with both drivers in mind next year, because it's the only way they could take the constructors' championship. Unless they had two aggressive drivers...

[Hanwombat]

I hope they keep Nick

[Dardas]

clearly his problems are with the current spec tyres, surely they would check into Nicks performance on slicks before ditching him to the kerb?

I think it's less to do with the tyres themselves and possibly more to do with the fact that the F1.08 may have been designed to suit Kubica's driving style - a very aggressive one - more than Heidfeld's. They may have done something to the car so that Kubica could push and not have the tyre issues that Lewis seems to with the McLaren. As a result, Heidfeld's much smoother and far less aggressive driving style is unsuitable for such a car. It's all a theory, but it seems to be the most logical explanation at the moment. Just look at how he did in last year's car, one which he didn't struggle to qualify in.

I'd like to see BMW Sauber build a car with both drivers in mind next year, because it's the only way they could take the constructors' championship. Unless they had two aggressive drivers...

First of all hello everybody

I can not agree that F1.08 is build for Kubica only, not once Nick during the race had actually better lap time than RK, so personally I would say he really strugling with tyres in qual.
Like somone said, perhaps slicks will help him but IMO he is just not as good as competition. I would rather try get another driver instead of NF on BMW board.

As for RK - i think is good he staying for another year with BMW cause this may help to get another team for WC fight (DWC would be just ice on cake )

[EwanM]

clearly his problems are with the current spec tyres, surely they would check into Nicks performance on slicks before ditching him to the kerb?

I think it's less to do with the tyres themselves and possibly more to do with the fact that the F1.08 may have been designed to suit Kubica's driving style - a very aggressive one - more than Heidfeld's. They may have done something to the car so that Kubica could push and not have the tyre issues that Lewis seems to with the McLaren. As a result, Heidfeld's much smoother and far less aggressive driving style is unsuitable for such a car. It's all a theory, but it seems to be the most logical explanation at the moment. Just look at how he did in last year's car, one which he didn't struggle to qualify in.

I'd like to see BMW Sauber build a car with both drivers in mind next year, because it's the only way they could take the constructors' championship. Unless they had two aggressive drivers...

First of all hello everybody

I can not agree that F1.08 is build for Kubica only, not once Nick during the race had actually better lap time than RK, so personally I would say he really strugling with tyres in qual.
Like somone said, perhaps slicks will help him but IMO he is just not as good as competition. I would rather try get another driver instead of NF on BMW board.

As for RK - i think is good he staying for another year with BMW cause this may help to get another team for WC fight (DWC would be just ice on cake )

Lemmie be the first to say hello Dardas. I hope you enjoy ur stay and future stays on this forum.
Secondly, I would agree that the F1.08 is not a car designed purely around Kubica. Given Heidfelds excellent results in 07, why would they suddenly want to deprive him of the opportunity to be competitive? It must be tyres

[McLaren Fan]

I'm so surprised that so many have put Heidfeld's poor qualifying performances as just being down to warming up the tyres adequately. It was widely reported over the winter break that BMW took a risk and went a different technical direction with their car. I don't think they designed the car to fit Kubica's driving style better, but just that things seem to have worked out that way. Also, Bridgestone said they didn't really make too many changes to the tyre specifications this season, so that would again suggest the original and main cause of Heidfeld's problem is how the 2008 car works its tyres differently than the previous season's design. Heidfeld, I think, has to take some of the blame as well for his current problems. A professional driver should be able to adapt to these kinds of issues a lot sooner (look at how Kubica, for instance, made the switch from being heavily dependent on traction control to looking like he never used it before). Also, there is a chance that Heidfeld compromises himself by leaving his hot laps until the dying moments of each qualifying period, so the track is usually bunged with traffic as other teams and drivers are having a last throw of the dice to reach the next session or improve their grid position.

[texasmr2]

I'm have faith in Quick Nick in that his quali/race result's will improve. Most of us have witnessed the same dismal result's from WDC's so he has my support 100%!!

[Dardas]

"Heidfeld, I think, has to take some of the blame as well for his current problems. A professional driver should be able to adapt to these kinds of issues a lot sooner "

See, just what I said, BMW should switch from NH to some other options.
Begining of season - He was two times around 5th in qual, later on around 10th (if in 3rd session) with one exception - Britain
The rest of pack adapt much quickier then him, especially Toyota and both Bulls drivers.
Still I think his problems are in line with tyres - during races, he was able 2 times to actually achieve best lap time, while during qual he is not threat for others at all.
Fair enough, sometimes he may be blocked by others but come on, we had 12 races so far - 3 qual up to 5th - rest far far away
Consistency - that how you can achieve something here.

Hi is just not good enough this year, I can hardly believe he will improve, but then who I am to tell

[texasmr2]

"Heidfeld, I think, has to take some of the blame as well for his current problems. A professional driver should be able to adapt to these kinds of issues a lot sooner "

See, just what I said, BMW should switch from NH to some other options.
Begining of season - He was two times around 5th in qual, later on around 10th (if in 3rd session) with one exception - Britain
The rest of pack adapt much quickier then him, especially Toyota and both Bulls drivers.
Still I think his problems are in line with tyres - during races, he was able 2 times to actually achieve best lap time, while during qual he is not threat for others at all.
Fair enough, sometimes he may be blocked by others but come on, we had 12 races so far - 3 qual up to 5th - rest far far away
Consistency - that how you can achieve something here.

Hi is just not good enough this year, I can hardly believe he will improve, but then who I am to tell

I aswell as you am very perplexed by Nick's lack of performance as of late but I'm not ready to write him off.

[EwanM]

I'm have faith in Quick Nick in that his quali/race result's will improve. Most of us have witnessed the same dismal result's from WDC's so he has my support 100%!!

I don't doubt Nick, as he showed when he was nearly out of f1 in 2003, only to resurrect his career thanks to Eddie Jordan.
He's used to racing without traction control - look at when he dominated in f3000
The man has alot of talent, but once you let someone get under your skin - like Kubica beating him regularly, it's very hard.
I still think he is suffering from the effects of letting the Pole through in Canada.
He played the team game on that day - but the team may not be so supportive come the end of the year.

[texasmr2]

I wish I knew the reason's for his current demise but only Nick and the team know. He is one of the few driver's I respect as a person and that is why I wish him the best.