Heidfeld believes in first victory for BMW in 2008
Nick Heidfeld has been around in F1 for years now and he's also the only driver who has been with the BMW Sauber F1 Team from the beginning. The German is very optimistic about the 2008 season and he believes that with the F1.08 the team will win its first Grand Prix.
"I distinguish between professional and private happiness. Privately, my greatest happiness is Patricia, Juni and Joda. Children are simply the greatest thing you can have. We’re a proper family, and I would like to see our children grow up with us in the same free and happy way that I was able to. In professional terms, I regard myself as basically very lucky to be able to do the thing that above all I always wanted to. Today I’m in a better position than ever because at last I’m in a car with which I can drive up there among the front-runners. That’s a great feeling. Also, I haven’t had as much bad luck as I used to and I’m very fit. Only if you’re in peak health can you prepare yourself optimally. That’s happiness as well – though sporting success in Formula One has little to do with happiness and more with precision work on and beside the track. But clutching a winner’s or championship trophy in my hands would certainly release quite a few happy hormones!"
Do you ever feel fear?"Of course. Basically I’m sure that I’m afraid of the same things as every other person. Not that I’m in any way fearful in the sense of living an overcautious life. I don’t want our children to grow up like that either. In the race car there’s only one situation when I experience something like fear: if I’ve lost control and know I’m about to crash. That’s when you just hope it isn’t going to hurt and you take your hands off the steering wheel if you can."
Have you slowed down since your children came along?"Oh yes! But only if the kids are in the car."
What is luxury for you?"First and foremost it’s things that I don’t need but that I enjoy. The latest mobile phone, clothes, cars etc. One luxury I can’t buy and really relish is free time. Privately, I just love to potter about. Sometimes I really get on the family’s nerves."
Do you have more fans than you used to?"I don’t really know precisely, of course. At any rate, I get more fan mail and there are more members in my fan club. In fact, I really enjoy the club. It’s just as I imagine it. I’m not an exotic you can’t talk to. We have fun together, it’s a relaxed atmosphere. We go karting together and party together. From time to time members will travel great distances to the races and turn up in China or somewhere. I think that’s fantastic."
What is your view of the new standard electronics?"That’s an incredibly complex matter and demands a great deal of engineering work. Banning traction control is just one aspect, after all, though one I very much welcome. I enjoy having gone back to controlling the car with my foot. It’s crucial when exiting corners: you need a great deal of sensitivity to accelerate optimally out of the turns. For the established Formula One drivers it’s an adjustment, whereas the youngsters just coming from Formula 3 or GP2 have never driven with traction control. Another aspect is the tyre development, which has to keep in step with the electronic adjustment because increased slip takes a different and higher toll on the rubber."
Which changes to the regulations would you like to see?"Firstly, I would like to drive on slicks again. Secondly, as a racing driver you can never have enough engine power. The V10 engines of the past were more fun, but I do see the safety aspect and the sense in reining in the technical possibilities."
Finally, what is your wish for 2008?"My wish is for us to achieve our season’s target this time round again and take home our first race win. Needless to say I want to be the driver standing up there on the top step of the podium. But the important thing first off is for us to get there as a team. Then I’ll seize my chance sooner or later."
