Our strategy came off - Heidfeld

In the Italian Grand prix, both BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers benefited from their long first stints and the perfect timing when it came to changing to intermediates. German Nick Heidfeld reveals the details.

"Our strategy came off," admits the 31-year-old, who currently holds fifth position in the Drivers' Championship, with 53 points to his tally. "We had opted for pitting just once and when we came in for our stops we made the perfect tyre choice."

When Nick Heidfeld pitted on lap 29, he brought back memories of the Belgian Grand Prix, held two weeks ago: in that race, the German's decision to have his BMW Sauber F1.08 shod with intermediates - with just two laps remaining - represented the basis for his spectacular final lap and a remarkable runner-up finish. In Italy, Nick was ready to take a risk once again. Up to this point in time very few drivers had changed from full wet-weather tyres to intermediates and consequently, the reference data available was limited. This time, therefore, the decision was made by the engineers at the pit wall, first of all by Nick's race engineer, Giampaolo Dall'Ara.

"On the pit wall you just have far better information on the weather and the performances of the other drivers," explains Nick. "But the tyre choice proved to be the right one. Those expecting more rain to fall in the closing stages of the race fought a losing battle."