Germany: Innocent victims

HHF out at the start
By Phil Huff (03/08/2003)
August 3 2003

Team Sauber Petronas driver Nick Heidfeld finished 10th in today's German Grand Prix, but Heinz-Harald Frentzen was forced to retire on the opening lap after becoming an innocent victim of the accident in the first corner.

Nick Heidfeld: "After the start I was able to pass some cars. I felt confident I could score some points after the accident at the start. To begin with my race was okay and I got closer to Button's BAR. The balance of my car was good, but I knew that I had to be careful to conserve the rear tyres. From the middle of the race I also had be cautious with the brakes, although that didn't actually influence the car's performance."

Heinz-Harald Frentzen: "Straight after the start there was a crash right in front of me. Everyone hit the brakes, but behind me someone obviously didn't realise that there was an accident and crashed into me. I lost my rear wing and came into the pits hoping that the race might be stopped and that I could take over the T-car, but instead the safety car was deployed. My car was too badly damaged, so that was the end of my race."

Peter Sauber (Team Principal): "For reasons that escape me Heinz-Harald was hit right after the start by Firman, and Nick could not do better than 10th place."