Nick Heidfeld has admitted that he is keeping his options open for 2010. Having suffered a highly difficult season in 2009 thus far and out of contract with his team at the end of this year, the German driver is not hiding the fact that several teams must be considered when presented with the option of making a career change.
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| Heidfeld has finished second on eight seperate occasions |
Dubbed by many as one of Formula One's most underrated drivers, 'Quick Nick' has had a testing time this year in what is his tenth season in the sport. With the magical first win still eluding him, the 32-year-old father of two speaks honestly of his options. "The primary focus is on the current situation, together with the team," he explained to Eurosport, "but in terms of the medium and long-term, you are constantly in discussions and deliberations."
With BMW's run of gradual improvements since 2006 coming to an abrupt halt in this season, Heidfeld is the first man to admit that all possibilities must be considered. "You have to look at several teams, not just BMW," he said. "But just because this year is not so good, I won't just quickly leave here; together, we have achieved a lot and I am convinced that BMW is in Formula One in order to win."
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| Nick believes he has another 6 or 7 years to prove his worth in F1 |
Does Nick feel that the Munich-based team can return to its podium battles this season? "It's a bit difficult to predict," he replied. "My ultimate goal is to become World Champion and if that happens at forty, it is okay. An indication, perhaps - if you look at the past few years - is that drivers who have retired have always been around 38 or 39 years old. I am now 32 and so I have a few more years ahead of me!"
Heidfeld also spoke briefly of the sport's ongoing politics and added, like Mark Webber and Felipe Massa before him, that ticket prices at races should be decreased in order to cater more for the fans.