Another Taurean Exception

Nick Lars Heidfeld can be called another exception to the image of the slow Taurean bull apart from Felipe Massa, driving for the BMW Sauber Formula One racing team. Born on May 10, 1977, this German has the maximum GP starts without winning the first position of the podium amongst all the present drivers. Having started one hundred and fifty races, if he manages a victory now, he would easily break the record of Mark Webber of having the most starts before a first victory. Out of one hundred and sixty one races, he has one hundred and fifty nine starts with twelve podiums, two hundred and six career points, one pole position and two fastest laps.

Career Before Formula One

Born in Mönchengladbach, Germany, at the age of eleven he was racing karts in 1988. When in 1994 he moved to the German Formula Ford series, he won eight out of nine races and took the title in that season. This attracted attention from all. He also won the German International Ford 1800 Championship in 1996, finishing third overall by taking three wins. He was second in the race of the Zetec Cup. Entering at the ending of the Macao Grand Prix season, he won first heat in the race, gaining compatriot Norbert Haug’s attention who promptly signed him on in the West Junior team where, in 1998, he became the runner-up for the International Formula 3000championship. His success continued to 1999 when he won the same championship.

Formula One Commencement

Heidfeld has often partnered rookie drivers who later on became competent themselves and also scored more points than them. In 2001, when he was in a three year contract with Sauber, his partner was Kimi Raikkonen whom he outperformed but was not selected into the McLaren seat. He outperformed again another team mate Felipe Massa who was also incidentally a rookie. The season of 2007 fared comparatively well specially with him notching up a second place in the Canadian Grand prix. He was also fourth in the Turkish and fifth at the Belgian Grand Prix. The championship was ended with a fifth and sixty one points, a career best which outpointed Kubica by twenty two. He also began 2008 strongly with second finish at the Australian Grand Prix, qualifying fifth. At both the Malaysian and Australian Grand Prix in 2009, he qualified eleventh but finished tenth.

A Glimpse into his Life

He took up residence at Stafa in Switzerland where he lives with Patricia, his fiancée, Juni (born July 2005), his daughter and Joda, born exactly two years later.