Turbulent race in China. Two points for Heidfeld

By BMW Sauber F1 Team
October 1 2006

In a thrilling Chinese Grand Prix with changeable weather conditions, Nick Heidfeld finished seventh, thus scoring two valuable World Championship points for the BMW Sauber F1 Team. Robert Kubica finished 13th despite a stunning performance in the first half of the race.

In a race that started on a wet track, with conditions improving throughout the race until another rain shower hit the circuit on the final lap, Nick delivered a fine performance and consistently worked his way up the field, to hold fourth position following his second and final pit stop.

He seemed to be on the way to scoring another five World Championship points for the BMW Sauber F1 Team by securing fourth position, when, on the final lap, he was involved in an incident in the final corner while fighting with the two Hondas of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. Backmarker Sakon Yamamoto (Super Aguri) blocked Nick on the outside, and Barrichello crashed into the rear of the BMW Sauber F1.06. Consequently, Nick had to be happy that he was able to cross the line to finish seventh and at least win two points.

At the same time, Robert could also be delighted with his performance but not with his result. At the start, in turn one, the young Pole went off track to avoid an accident and lost out dearly. He dropped back to 21st position, but then he drove an incredible race. At the end of lap two, he had already had battled his way back up to 17th position and continued this way. Lap by lap, he made up more lost ground and on lap 16 he was back in tenth position.

However, this wasn't the end of his chase. On lap 17, he passed Button, on lap 21 McLaren's Pedro de la Rosa - and as some of the drivers made their first pit stops, he held fifth position, and continued to impress by setting several temporary fastest race laps.

On lap 25, however, when Robert came in for his first stop, he and the team opted for a gamble that didn't pay off. As the racing line was mostly dry, his BMW Sauber F1.06 was fitted with dry weather tyres - but this choice turned out to be a mistake. Robert went off several times, lost position after position and at the end of the lap he had to pit again for intermediates and rejoin the race in 17th. From this point in time, he made no mistakes, gained some positions and finished 13th.

Nevertheless, it was a successful weekend for the BMW Sauber F1 Team. As both Toyotas had to retire, Nick's two points helped the team to further consolidate its fifth position in the Constructors' Championship. The GP was won by Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, with Fernando Alonso (Renault) finishing second. Now, both championship contenders have 116 points.