Good result as birthday present - Heidfeld

The Spanish Grand Prix, to be held this weekend at Barcelona, represents the end of a four-week break on the 2007 F1 calendar. BMW Sauber F1 Team driver Nick Heidfeld talks about his activities in the weeks between the races and his expectations for the race at Barcelona.

"I've been travelling a lot during the break since Bahrain," Heidfeld reveals. I've been In Leipzig, Munich and Hinwil, in Monza for a shooting programme, at the Nürburgring Nordschleife - and testing at Barcelona. At the Nürburgring, I did my information lap at the wheel of a Formula BMW car. And I'll be back in the cockpit of the Formula BMW car on the Wednesday before the Barcelona race. This time at Valencia, as part of a three-pronged sporting challenge with yachtsman Tony Kolb and golfing pro José Manuel Lara.

The BMW Sauber F1 Team used the weeks prior to the Spanish Grand Prix for enhancement work, with Nick and Robert Kubica also contributing to the programme, during four days of testing at the 'Circuit de Catalunya'. "The extensive testing carried out here means that all the drivers know the track like the back of their hands," admits Nick. "It's a fast circuit and has several nice corners. The fact that it is the home GP for the World Champion has turned it into a far more popular event. Additional grandstands were built for the 2006 race and they were packed. Racing in this kind of atmosphere is great for all the drivers, not only Fernando."

When it comes to the new chicane in the last section of the track, Nick has mixed emotions. "The new section is less exciting, but safer," he admits. His goals for the race on Sunday, however, are clear: "I'm hoping for another good result for my 30 th birthday!"