While everything, including the right tyre choice at each pit stop, paid off for Heidfeld, his team mate Robert Kubica slid off the slippery track after his second pit stop.
Nick Heidfeld: "It was a good race. I am happy with second place
because today it was the best I could achieve. Qualifying went well and
in the race we did everything right. Obviously it was crucial to make
the right tyre decisions. At the first stop we were wondering if we
should stay with the used set of inters, but luckily we then decided on
new tyres. We were expecting a small shower, but when I drove down
Hanger Straight and saw a black wall in front of me I thought I should
expect more than that! The most difficult moments in the race were when
cars were overtaking me who had been lapped, but were just on better
tyres for the conditions at that time. There was so much water and I
couldn't see where it was lying. Once before Abbey I almost spun, but
just managed to keep the car on the track."
Robert Kubica: "I was already aquaplaning for many laps and
unfortunately in a straight line I just lost the car completely and
went off. Here in Silverstone it was a crazy race in difficult
conditions. Everything was running pretty well as I was having quite a
good race and gaining positions. But when it rained and there was a lot
of water on the track I was just struggling. I couldn't keep the car in
a straight line, was losing power, the rear wheels were losing contact
with the tarmac and that was it."
Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director): "It was a very dramatic race
which was dictated by the weather conditions. In some periods of the
race the lap times varied by as much as ten seconds depending on the
tyre choice. With Nick our strategy worked out perfectly. He performed
very strongly and carried out some spectacular overtaking manoeuvres.
After things have not gone his way recently, I am very happy for him he
climbed from fifth on the grid to second with a good mixture of
intelligent racing and fighting spirit. For him it is the third second
place so far this year, and for our team the seventh podium. Robert was
doing well, having climbed up to third, but then went off during a rain
shower. Compliments to him as well as it was a strong team performance
under these difficult conditions."
Willy Rampf (Technical Director): "That was a tyre lottery, as there
was a permanent question over which ones we should use. The critical
period was when the drivers were fighting very hard to keep the cars on
track after the heavy rain. Nick managed to do this very well.
Unfortunately Robert was aquaplaning and went off. Nick deserved his
place on the podium as he drove a very smart race. Congratulations on a
great performance and compliments to the pit stop crew, because we made
the tyre choice decisions at very short notice."
Bookmark or share this story with:
Related Articles:
| 6 Jul, 2008 17:11 | Report |
|
Johan Hasselberg (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: May, 2007 Location: Posts: 624 |
Quote:With Nick our strategy worked out perfectly. He performed very strongly and carried out some spectacular overtaking manoeuvres. After things have not gone his way recently, I am very happy for him he climbed from fifth on the grid to second with a good mixture of intelligent racing and fighting spirit.