Heidfeld's strategy pays off and finishes 2nd! Kubica KO

By BMW Sauber F1
April 5 2009

The weather forecasters had predicted rain for the Malaysian Grand Prix - and they proved to be right. Due to a thunderstorm, the race was red-flagged with just 32 laps completed and following a long break as they waited for conditions to improve, race control announced that the GP wouldn't be restarted.

 Consequently, Nick Heidfeld finished runner-up, thereby giving the BMW Sauber F1 Team its first podium finish of the 2009 season and four World Championship points.

Robert reported a strange noise from his engine as early as the formation lap. At the start, which took place in dry conditions, the Pole didn't get away from his sixth position on the grid and was passed by the entire field, eventually getting started in 20th position. On lap three, Robert's race came to an end when he had to stop due to a technical problem on his BMW Sauber F1.09.

Meanwhile, Nick gained a position and continued in ninth but was soon pressurised by Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel. On lap nine, the BMW Sauber F1 Team driver encountered an off-track moment while trying to defend his position and was passed by both Vettel and Lewis Hamilton (McLaren). Nonetheless, Nick - who had started the race on a heavy fuel load - kept his cool and when the lighter cars ahead of him went in for the first pit stops the German gained position after position.

On lap 19, Ferrari's Kimi Räikkönen took a gamble. At this point in time, the track was dry, however, rain was expected and the Finn had his Ferrari shod with "Full Wets". Nick, however, continued on dry-weather tyres up to lap 23. At this point in time, the German had worked his way up to sixth and as the rain began to fall the BMW Sauber F1 Team also switched to "Full Wets". Most of the other drivers made the same decision. During the stop, Nick passed Hamilton and rejoined the race in fifth.

Shortly after his stop, he was passed by Red Bull's Mark Webber and Glock, who was clearly faster than the rest of the field on intermediates. But then Nick made perfect use of his skills as a wet weather specialist and the team's perfect strategy. While the other teams had called their drivers in once again to switch from "Full Wets" to intermediates, Nick realised that the rain had started to fall even harder - and chose to stay out. A decision that helped him gain further ground.

When conditions deteriorated further and the safety car was deployed, on lap 32, the German held third position as Glock had passed him again on his fresh set of "Full Wets". Despite encountering problems on the extremely wet track with his worn tyres, Nick succeeded in defending this position until the race was red-flagged.

Now, everybody had to wait to see if the conditions would improve again. But as it was still raining at dusk, race control eventually revealed that the Malaysian GP wouldn't be restarted. Nick subsequently benefited from the rule whereby the results are taken at the end of the penultimate lap prior to when the race is stopped. At this point in time, Nick held second position and consequently he was awarded second place. As less than 75 percent of the race distance had been covered when the race was red-flagged, only half points were awarded. Therefore, both the BMW Sauber F1 Team and Nick were awarded just four points for their first podium finish of the season. Jenson Button (Brawn GP) claimed his second victory of the season, while Glock finished third.