Nick Heidfeld

Formula One career

Having impressed with his final season of Formula 3000, Heidfeld was signed as a race driver for the Prost Grand Prix F1 team for the 2000 season, alongside Jean Alesi. Heidfeld struggled with his new car, with a string of retirements throughout the year forcing him out of the team. He signed a three-year contract with Sauber for 2001, partnered with rookie driver Kimi Räikkönen. After the announcement of Mika Häkkinen's retirement, many thought that Heidfeld would replace him in the McLaren team, as he had outperformed Räikkönen over the year, including a podium position in the Brazilian Grand Prix. However, the seat went to Räikkönen, and Heidfeld stayed with Sauber for 2002 and 2003. At the end of 2003, Heidfeld was dumped from the team and looked to be without a race seat for the 2004 season. However, after a number of successful tests, it was announced that Heidfeld would race with the Jordan Grand Prix team, alongside rookie Giorgio Pantano. Heidfeld was impressive in a mediocre car, but was not signed for another team in 2005. During the winter, Heidfeld has tested with WilliamsF1, in a 'shootout' with Antonio Pizzonia for the second race seat. At the Williams launch on January 31, it was announced that Heidfeld would be a race driver for the team in 2005.

Related Topics:
Prost Grand Prix - 2000 - Jean Alesi - Sauber - 2001 - Kimi Räikkönen - Mika Häkkinen - Brazilian Grand Prix - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - Jordan Grand Prix - Giorgio Pantano - 2005 - Winter - WilliamsF1 - Antonio Pizzonia - January 31

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At the seventh race of the season at the Nurburgring circuit, his home grand prix, Heidfeld took his first ever pole position.He has also achieved his best position to-date (2nd) with Williams in Monaco this year, which he equalled at the Nurburgring.

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Heidfeld missed Italian and Belgian due to injuries suffered in testing accident. He was supposed to come back for Brazil , he was injured again while riding a motorbike, and will probably miss the rest of the season.

Related Topics:
Italian - Belgian - Brazil

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Nick Heidfeld will drive for BMW's new works team next year (2006), the German manufacturer officially announced on 16 September. Contrary to previous reports, the deal is for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Related Topics:
BMW - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 - 2009

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Complete Formula One results

Notes:

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• Grands Prix in bold denote points scoring races
• Grands Prix in italics denote races in which this driver did not participate