Heidfeld vs Schumacher incident

By BMW Sauber F1 Team
August 10 2006

Nick Heidfeld not only delivered a clever and consistent race in Hungary. In the closing laps, he was involved in a thrilling battle with Michael Schumacher. The BMW Sauber F1 Team driver talks about the key move he made to secure a podium finish.

From the start to the chequered flag, Nick had delivered a clever and flawless race, and succeeded in avoiding any off-track excursions. With only three remaining at the Hungaroring, he began his overtaking manoeuvre against the seven-time World Champion.

In turn one, following the pit-straight, Nick followed Schumacher tucked into the Ferrari's slipstream and waited for his chance. "I closed the gap rather quickly," Nick recalls. "Quite obviously, he was struggling. I think that his tyres were really bald, providing no grip at all."

"I had some more laps to pass him but I wanted to use the first opportunity as it's anything but easy to overtake him sometimes," Nick continues. "It was wet off the line but I was much faster than him and didn't want to wait any longer, so I used this one good chance." While trying to fend off the BMW Sauber F1.06, Michael hit its rear. "I think that he damaged his suspension in this incident," says Nick. "My steering was also damaged, so I decided to take it easy and cruised to the finish."

At the end of the day, Nick's strategy worked. He quickly opened a gap on the Ferrari driver and finished the race in focused style without taking any unnecessary risks. The first podium finish in the BMW Sauber F1 Team's history represented a well deserved reward for Nick's fine performance.