Formula One news

Points for Heidfeld despite birthday collision

Nick Heidfeld finished seventh to collect two points from the Spanish Grand Prix despite contact on the opening lap. The German, celebrating his thirty-second birthday, elevates him to ninth in the drivers' World Championship on the weekend which saw the introduction of the BMW team's latest aerodynamics package.

32 today!

"It was a tough race but I think it was one of my better ones," said Heidfeld, who set the tenth fastest lap. "I had hoped for points as a birthday present, but honestly didn't really believe in this as I was starting from 13th. The start was the decisive time when I gained four positions; in the first corner I was hit from behind but luckily my car wasn't damaged. It was not easy to defend my position against Kimi Räikkönen later on in the race, and our fight slowed me down, so I lost the contact with the front runners."

A charge from Williams late in the race could have seen Nick collect only one point, although he thanked his team for their strong effort. "Our pit crew did a fantastic job and got me in front of Nico Rosberg at my second pit stop," he explained. "It is a great result for us and the race pace proved the new aero package is a clear improvement, which is very good news for the rest of the season." Team-mate Robert Kubica endured a tougher day, coming home a lap down in 11th.

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