Nick Heidfeld again used his experience, strong racecraft and wet weather expertise to good effect in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps today – as he mastered the treacherous conditions to perfection to secure his fourth rostrum finish of the 2008
Formula 1 campaign, and with it regain fifth spot in the title chase.
The experienced German is fighting to retain his seat in the top flight next year following a troubled time over the season thus far, but he answered his critics with aplomb around what is widely acknowledged to be the greatest test of a driver's skill the world over.
After out-qualifying team-mate
Robert Kubica for only the second time this year to line up fifth on the grid, the 31-year-old went on to recover from a delayed start when he was assaulted by the McLaren-Mercedes of
Heikki Kovalainen to latch onto the back of the battle for fifth place, involving Kubica and the
Scuderia Toro Rosso pairing of Sébastien Bourdais and
Sebastian Vettel. He was looking set to take away just a sole marker for eighth place – until the promised rain came just a handful of laps from home…
“I had a fantastic race weekend and I am very happy today,” enthused the man from Mönchengladbach, promoted from third place to second in the final reckoning following the post-race penalty applied to on-the-road winner
Lewis Hamilton [see separate story –
click here].
“At the start I got off better than the guys in front of me; then I decided to go for the outside line, but unfortunately Heikki Kovalainen crashed into my car. This can happen, and I was lucky my car wasn't damaged.
“Of course I lost a lot of places. Later on in the race I was able to get some back, but then I got stuck in traffic. When the drizzle set in I was convinced it would be heavier on the next lap and decided to change to wet weather tyres. The team asked me if I meant what I said.
