Silverstone crowds inspire Heidfeld

Following the fifth place secured at Magny-Cours, Nick just can't wait for the ninth round of the season: the British GP at Silverstone. The BMW Sauber F1 Team driver looks forward to the competent British fans and describes the special characteristics of the classic 5.141-kilometre circuit.

"I particularly like the crowds in England as they are just true racing fans," says Heidfeld. "They are very well informed and have been enthusiastic even in the years when they couldn't cheer for a local hero battling it out at the front end of the field. With Lewis Hamilton, the interest for this year's race will increase a lot, of course, but the atmosphere has always been good."

Thanks to having many years of Formula One experience under his belt, the German knows "The Home of British Motor Racing" like the back of his hand and has been testing there with the BMW Sauber F1 Team from 19th to 21st July. Over the course of the Silverstone test, Nick and his team-mate Timo Glock covered at total mileage of 1048 kilometres.

"During the tests I got the impression that the circuit was extremely bumpy and other drivers obviously were of the same opinion," reveals Nick. "The English weather can also add to the excitement. The sequence of the corners at Becketts is very fast and very special. At the end of the day, having a good aero package for the fast corners is vital when racing at Silverstone."