Heidfeld hot in Jerez testing
Nick Heidfeld looked ever more likely to replace Robert Kubica at Renault after setting the pace in Formula One testing at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain on Saturday.
The German, already the frontrunner to stand in after the Pole suffered career-threatening injuries in a rally crash in Italy last weekend, seized his chance with both hands on his first day back in a Formula One car since November.
The 33-year-old, who was Kubica's team mate at BMW-Sauber for the best part of four years, ended the day with the fastest time and a best lap of one minute 20.361 seconds in the new R31 car.
Renault have said Heidfeld, vastly experienced with a decade in the sport and 172 starts, is on pole position to replace Kubica for part or all of the season.
"If we are happy with Nick then we keep Nick," team principal Eric Boullier said on Thursday. "We have to develop this car from scratch so the obvious choice of driver is an experienced one."
The German said he enjoyed his experience on Saturday.
"It was fun driving the car although it obviously takes time to get used to things when it's your first time in a car and working with a new team," he told autosport.com.
"We had a good day, without too many problems, and luckily all the changes we made to the car went in the right direction and improved things so I was able to push harder and harder."
Ferrari's Spaniard Fernando Alonso, whose presence caused traffic jams in the morning as thousands thronged to the circuit, was second fastest.
Alonso, Kubica's good friend and regular paddock poker partner, lapped with an image of the Pole's helmet on his own and did 131 laps.
Kubica had more surgery on Friday after a seven-hour session on Sunday and is sure to be out for at least the first three months of the season which starts in Bahrain on March 13.
Doctors said the 26-year-old is likely to need one further operation.
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Its all academic. But I agree as the contracted third driver I would give Bruno a chance to show us what he can do in a decent car. Lot is made of Nick toping the times on day three even from those who should know better . As Nick himself says " getting the top position depends on various factors" could he mean like Senna on Sunday all teams are working to complete different programmes. That after three good days on day four all teams were meet with a change of weather, colder temperatures, Wind, rain not to mention lots of red flags (there were only two on day3) at end of the day when normally the quickest times are set ( after spending the day setting up the car, settling in and burning off the fuel) What did NH say after.." Most guys here, if they take the fuel out and put very soft tyres on all day, nearly anybody could be in front " I say its all academic because Boullier had already made his mind up before Nick even got into the car. Why else would he switch drivers for Sat & Sunday, because perhaps he looked at the weather forecast? & the times would justify his decision in some peoples eyes. (For the same reason Liuzzi will not get a chance at Barcelona) I think Sunday was about whether Bob can gel with the rest of the team. Hence Senna is resigned to fact & is not going to make waves. Never mind after 10 years Nick has one more chance to get a race win before he retires from F1........ Get well soon Bob we need you.
More thsn a 100 points down on your team-mate in the same machinery does not a talented driver make.
So reading all new I almost sure the seat goes to Nick, Lotus Renault just need further developement, thats it. Telling Petrov (or any F1 pilot) has not talent is absurd. This is F1 baby, they all have talent more or less. Yeah, the car require money too. This is life. no money - no car - no matter how big your talent. BTW, Petrov is the best start-overtaker on the grid, and even Kubica said that learn how to hold the car from Petrov..
teeoff-It depends where they are in the Constructors standings! If 'QUICK NICK' is doing ok, and Petrov is contributing, there is no need to get Kubica back into it! But ,if Petrov has shown he can't perform, then there is no reason not to bring Kubica back, but, without a minor miracle, Kubica won't be back this year! (If he is not 100%, he could get himself, or somebody else, in a whole lot of trouble!) The process of recovery will determine when Kubica is ready to return! There has been no mention of nerve damage, that could be the determining factor as to when, (if ever), he returns!
HeY yahoo open up Will Grays column so I can post!
Really too bad Kubica is out, so far it looks like the Renault is not as far back as it was last year (we all know it was the 5th fastest car so Robert should have been 9th in it instead of podium finishes)
Nick is the best choice for replacement. Nick is fast and professional, no drama, goes out and does the job. He has lots of experience and is still quite fast.
If Kubica is ready to come back before the end of the year and Nick has good results what happens then? Does he replace Nick or Petrov (who we all know won't be in any title hunt but has lots of money in the team to guarantee his seat)
Major @ 17 and Andrew @ 11
I totally agree with the both of you....in my original post I was being sarcastic while taking the pi`ss out of the `bring Kimi back brigade` and have expressed my opinion many times as to the Kimi debate.A year out of F1 is too long these days and things have changed so much since Kimi sported his pet lip in the pits....Kimi won`t be back in F1....ever!
As regards Schummi....I don`t blame his fans for rooting for him, but being realistic....they have short memories, his crown was slipping well before he retired. If he was back to his best he would be bang there....he isn`t....so he won`t....ever!
Always rated Nick Heidfeld. Best of luck to him. Reckon he could get a win or two in the new season. Doesnt look as though Kubica will get back in time. What a shame. Best driver last year in my opinion. Who on earth let him drive in that rally?mind you, Jim Clark used to driver in rallies and saloon cars whilst an f1 driver.
Should be a good title battle.
#20 I agree, well said. Good on ya Nick and good luck in 2011.
Heidfeld will be the #1 driver for the team. The only considerations for a #2 driver is what he can 'bring' to the team! In other words, how much money can he bring'? The other variable is, with Russia getting ready for a G/P in 2014, having a Russian driver involved in F1, (assuming he stays around that long!), will be a big asset to the promotion of the race! Who knows?, Bernie MAY have a 'little' influence on this! Personally, I do not think Petrov has the talent!, but I think he is there for his 'marketability'!
My mechanic buddy ..........lol......Ha!Ha!
my mate in the WRC said to kimbo do you plan to go back to the old job and he said no one will have him, so where i know every one got his clip from i dont know, a bit of a porky pie .
Lets be honest if petrov was any good, either nick or bruno would be fine as a number 2 driver.
Kimi is NOT even considering it - forget it. My mechanic buddy on the WRC in Sweden spoke with him - "F1 is boring and too political. I enjoy this rally very much" - He is also 8th overall and spent two days ahead of Loeb !! Not bad for a rookie and he is seriously enjoying this new discipline. If Renault wanted to be serious they should have tested Davidson at least.
Why lots of people are being harsh to Nick? He is the best choice in this situation. Kimi? He now hates Renault for using his name, so no chance. Bruno? He is good but inexperienced. From Eric himself, he cannot risk a young inexperienced driver. Tonio Liuzzi? Pedro de la Rosa? Well, they got their @#$% kicked last season. So Heidfeld is the better choice now and hey he just got fastest in the Jerez day 3 test. Not bad at all...
True, during a decade Heidfeld proof nothing, he is a second ralph schumacher. I can not imagine that Reanault would ever take such a huge step backwards while they have the best car on the track, it's clear as daylight, there is no one else than KIMI to do the job.
And felipeholdstation: Kimi?
- - -
Nobody I can remember in 45 years of reading/watching F1 ever burned his bridge back to Grand Prix racing more efficiently that Mr.Raikkonen.
Fast? Certainly.
Great? Almost.
Team Player? Apparently not. Ferrari paid million$ just to have him leave the garage.
I don't think you'll EVER see Mr.R in a F1 car again.
Does that disappoint me? I'm afraid so - yes.
Always kind of figured Nick to go Quick if somebody could light a big enough fire under his butt.
The potental of F1 return has maybe lit the flame...
Keep on Herr Heidfeld...!
I love that car!!!!!!!!! Really beautiful in black.
...yep, good job! renault have a fast car! just hope Bruno can match and then renault should use Nick on fridays and Bruno on race days, becouse 172 starts and never win a race its to poor, rather give a chance to the young one, and im not a Bruno fan, but Bruno has more to prove, more ambicion...
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