Formula One news

One-stopping Heidfeld grabs second

Nick Heidfeld was more than pleased with second place in the Malaysian Grand Prix; the German, who started the race with the heaviest car, was able to complete just one pit stop at precisely the right moment to find himself crossing line second at the end of the crucial lap 51.

"I'm obviously very happy to be second after starting from tenth," Heidfeld said. "It was a really extreme and challenging race today;  I had a good start but also quite a heavy car, which meant racing was not easy for me. When it was obvious it would soon rain I pitted seven laps earlier than planned, and we decided to go on full wet tyres. They wore down quickly as the heavy rain didn't come, and the team kept telling me "stay out, heavy rain expected", but the tyres felt almost like slicks. For those laps, intermediates would have been much quicker, but who could know that - when it finally poured down it was the right decision to stop the race.

"It was absolutely impossible to drive. I spun behind the safety car, not only because of aquaplaning with the tyres but also with the underfloor. I'm happy for our team that we've now brought home at least one proper result from the first two races of the season."

Team-mate Robert Kubica, on the other hand, was forced to stop before completing the first lap: "When I started on the formation lap, my engine produced strange noises and there was very little power," the Pole explained. "I started the race which, under the circumstances was not easy, and continued to drive. I asked my team what I should do, but before I got an answer the car caught fire so I stopped."

more news

• 09 Nov.
  • Lee McKenzie's End of Season Review 2009 (Part 2)
  • Fauzy set for Lotus reserve role
  • Lotus scouting for fresh talent
• 08 Nov.
  • 'I came out of it stronger' - Hamilton on 2009
• 07 Nov.
  • Alonso enjoys first Ferrari factory visit
  • Brawn looking forward to Senna debut
• 06 Nov.
  • Follow GPUpdate.net on Twitter!
  • Wind tunnel operator sues Force India
  • Toyota-assisted Kobayashi eyeing Lotus seat
  • Sutil: Abu Dhabi 'a shame' for Force India
  • Lee McKenzie's End of Season Review 2009
  • Lotus wanting experienced drivers
  • Anthony Hamilton: Räikkönen the best option for McLaren
• 05 Nov.
  • Renault decision to come in December
  • GPUpdate TV: Vettel receives sports car prize
  • Ecclestone: 2 days for Silverstone to sign
  • Etihad and Aldar to pay damages to Force India
  • 'F1 organisers to blame for lost teams' - Ferrari
  • Hülkenberg to test Williams next month
• 04 Nov.
  • FIA warns again: Credit crunch will win
  • Renault holds emergency meeting about F1 future
  • FOTA thanks Toyota's Howett
  • Ekström beats Schumacher for Race of Champions
  • Hülkenberg targeting Barrichello pace
  • Photos: Race of Champions 2009
  • Pirelli not interested in F1
  • Vettel and Schumacher win ROC Nations Cup
  • Toyota highlights reasons for F1 exit
  • Official: Toyota leaves Formula One
  • An interview with Kamui Koabayshi
• 03 Nov.
  • 'Toyota set to end Formula 1 project'
  • Red Bull to announce engine partner 'very shortly'
  • Schumacher: Comeback was for Felipe
  • Trulli on lookout for clear racing rules
  • Räikkönen too expensive, says Brawn
  • Horner aware of 2010 challengers
  • Michael: Hülkenberg following Hamilton-like path
• 02 Nov.
  • Brawn thanks Barrichello for contribution
  • Kubica to drive in French rally
  • 2010: The grid so far

Homepage