By Michael Oellers
May 18 2009

On Sunday 10th, at Barcelona, Nick had multiple reasons for celebration: two points from the Spanish GP in a much improved F1.09, his Birthday and a new record for reliability.

In the Bahrain Grand Prix two weeks ago, Nick pulled level with one of the iconic figures of Formula One racing – at least in terms of reliability: having finished 24 races in succession, he equalled the record set by Michael Schumacher (as reported on www.nickheidfeld.com). With his seventh-place finish in Barcelona, Nick successfully extended this run to 25 races – on his birthday too – and is now the sole record holder in this category.

His last retirement came on the Fuji circuit in the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix when he had to park his BMW-Sauber two laps from the finish as a result of engine failure. Since then, Nick has seen the chequered flag in every single race (the last two of the 2007 season, all the races staged in 2008 and the first five of 2009).

“After the less than impressive outcome of the Bahrain GP, I’m very pleased to have nailed Michael’s record with this two-pointer in Barcelona, a result that is not all that bad considering the current situation. Crossing the finishing line in 25 successive races is a quite an achievement – and especially satisfying on your birthday,” said Nick. “As in Bahrain, though, I had to survive a bump on the first corner.”

Clearly, it would not have been possible to establish such a record without the right equipment, a fact that Nick is only too well aware of: “I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone in the BMW-Sauber team for the resilience of the car, which obviously played a huge part in setting this record. My last retirement was at Fuji in 2007 when a technical problem meant I had to drop out of the race just before the finish.”

But as well as the resilience of the last three generations of the BMW-Sauber machines, Nick’s low error rate has also been a major factor contributing to this record. He is particularly good at bringing his car home safe and sound under difficult conditions without compromising on race pace. In the last 1½ years, there have been quite a few races run under challenging weather conditions, so it is all the more remarkable that Nick set his record during this very period. At the same time, Nick also extended his other magnificent record: the Spanish GP was the 33rd race in succession in which Nick has been officially placed.

The last GP in which he did not feature at all on the leader board was at Indianapolis in 2007. In the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix where he had to retire, he was still placed on the basis of the distance already covered. This is another record that will be difficult for anyone to beat in the future. Nick agrees: “I hope I’m going to be uncatchable in this category.”

*Thanks to our good friend Michael, president of the official Nick Heidfeld fanclub and admin of nickheidfeld.com website 

Nick Heidfeld: Mr Reliable...beats another record

Discussion started by BMW Sauber F1 (IP Logged), 18/05/2009 15:27

BMW Sauber F1
18/05/2009 15:27

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Raid Phoenix
18/05/2009 15:36

I'll thank here too again to Michael. Nice chap I met back in the Barcelona tests.

Soon I'll show you something he offered me the chance to enjoy.

Anyway, congrats to Nick for his record. Good that he achieved it on his birthday, and that he has something to celebrate despite the pace problems

Racing against the machine!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:05:18:15:41:45 by J-Raid.

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sessions
18/05/2009 16:16

Say whatever you wish about Nick, but when his F1 career is over and done, it'll be the consistency over the years that has allowed him the longevity in the sport. Only a hand full of drivers are able to accomplished these feats because of suburb driving characteristics which are a shrewd combination of smoothness, smartness, and equipment awareness.
Having also earned the title of "Quick Nick" hasn't hurt his staying power either. Bravo Nick !

sessions

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Raid Phoenix
18/05/2009 19:14

Sessions, I've gotta love your philosofical posts!

Racing against the machine!

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sessions
19/05/2009 06:20

Thanks Jamie, but when things aren't going well for the team, many of us fail to notice how hard our drivers work to turn things around. It's nice to see Nick just keeps plugging away and getting a few points. I have the feeling they are making progress, even it's in baby steps.
If Robert breaks out and gathers some points his fans will be regenerated. Right now there isn't a whole lot to grab onto, but it will change.

sessions

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Gemm
20/05/2009 10:41

A bit late but sincere congrats to Nick and Team for such a reliability record!

As for the machine: Well done, although when Ferrari was getting their record the spec of the cars were way further on the limit comparison to current 'endurance' approach to engines and gearboxes and running the engines on lower revs.

As for the driver: Very well done! Nick definitely was starting on average way lower on the grid that Michael during his record finishing streak. So there was more chances to get in trouble

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