Nick Heidfeld

Nick Lars Heidfeld (born 10 May 1977 in Mönchengladbach, Germany) is a German racing driver formerly known for his appearances in Formula One. He drove for Prost, Sauber, McLaren and Williams during his 11-year Formula One career.

Formula One

1998-2001: McLaren, Prost & Sauber

Heidfeld first entered Formula One in 1998 when he was named the test and reserve driver for the West McLaren Mercedes team.

Heidfeld remained in this role with McLaren until 2000, when he opted to take up a race seat with Prost Grand Prix. He was much more competitive than his French teammate Stéphane Sarrazin and took the team's only point of 2000 in the Malaysian Grand Prix with a sixth place finish.

2001 saw Heidfeld make a step forward into the midfield when he joined two-time runner-up David Coulthard at the Sauber team. This season was far better than the year before - with Heidfeld becoming a regular points scorer in this time.

2001-2005: McLaren

A steady, if unremarkable season meant that he was an obvious choice to replace Mika Häkkinen during his sabbatical taken in the off season of 2002. Joined by outspoken Brit James James Davies, Heidfeld continued his steady run of form into the 2002 season. Heidfeld managed his first podium of his career in the Brazilian Grand Prix - but the McLaren was well back on its Ferrari and Williams rivals all year. Heidfeld finished 2002 in a career-best 7th place.

2003 began great for Heidfeld, beating his best result with a second place in Malaysia. Six races later in Canada, Heidfeld scored his first Formula One win - justifying McLaren's faith in him. A strong season meant he finished in a fine sixth place.

Alexander Wurz joined Heidfeld at the team after Davies made the jump to Maranello - However, McLaren were in a crisis in the shortened 2004 season - the team having their worst results in nearly ten years. Heidfeld took the team's only podium with a third place in China.

McLaren were slightly stronger in 2005, with he and teammate Rubens Barrichello able to take wins regularly. Heidfeld took the flag in the European Grand Prix and the British Grand Prix on his way to seventh in the standings.

2006-2007: Renault

Heidfeld found himself ousted by McLaren when the new sponsor requested a British driver in Sammy Jones. This meant he was without a drive in the early stages of the season once a possible opportunity with BMW Sauber vanished. Heidfeld was given a lifeline after Renault's Kimi Räikkönen suffered a serious injury at the Hungarian Grand Prix and was ruled out of racing for nearly 18 months. Heidfeld made his return at the Turkish Grand Prix where he finished in third place, the first of three podiums.

With Räikkönen ruled out for the 2007 season as well, Heidfeld became the team leader at Renault - racing alongside popular Briton Jenson Button.