Heidfeld signs for Sauber

Ed-f1 · 28 Aug 2000, 12:55 (Ref:33390)

Nick Heidfeld has signed a 3 year deal for Sauber starting next season. He will replace Pedro Diniz as Diniz is expected to be confirmed as a Prost driver this week in a swap.

Glad Heidfeld's managed to find a seat but who will be his team mate. Not so glad Diniz has found a seat but anyway. With Prost announcing there future plans this week perhaps they need the cash for a Ferrari engine?

Sharky · 28 Aug 2000, 13:13 (Ref:33391)

Prost needs an engine and they have no money so the MUST take a pay driver and the only Pay drivers they could get are Gaston Mazzacane or Pedro Diniz. Let's just hope that with his signing prost can buy the ferrari engine and get out of the dump they're currently on.

BTW, I'm glad for heidfeld.....I'm sure the kid is good but there's no way he's gonna show his talent in that car.

downforce · 28 Aug 2000, 13:28 (Ref:33393)

....gr8 news!!!
Hope Heidfeld proves a thing or two!!!

steve nielsen · 28 Aug 2000, 15:32 (Ref:33418)

Jos Verstappen might be his teammate next year, he has an apointment with Peter Sauber on Wednesday.

Gerryl · 28 Aug 2000, 18:53 (Ref:33433)

Cant see too many sauber fans getting excited by Heidfeld signing. Likewise Heidfeld cant be too sorry to see the back of Prost. He has a lot to prove as this season has been a disaster for both him and Prost. I wonder are his chances of ever getting a drive for McLaren finished?
Ger

Mr.S · 28 Aug 2000, 20:31 (Ref:33451)

Keep in mind that I am not saying he is better then Alesi, I actually consider Jean much better, but Nick's record at Prost is actually better then Jeans:

Nick
8 DNFs
8th highest finnish

Jean
10 DNFs
9th highest finnish

Not what I expected, you guys? I thought Jean was doing a much better job then Heidi.

Sharky · 28 Aug 2000, 20:52 (Ref:33464)

Interesting info Mr S. I think that Heidfeld is a great driver but there's no way he's gonna show what he's capable of in the Prost.

BTW....I've heard that he has some pretty strong contacts with Mercedes so leave the Mclaren door open for the future.

Minardi fan · 28 Aug 2000, 22:47 (Ref:33498)

I am very pleased for Nick about this. And to have Jos AND Nick at Sauber next year will be excellent.

As for Diniz going to Prost...

Liz · 28 Aug 2000, 22:58 (Ref:33505)

See I told you Zonta was not going to Sauber.

Arrows. That's where he will be. Jos will be at Sauber.

Gerard · 28 Aug 2000, 23:36 (Ref:33521)

Jos will stay at Arrows. You heard it here first.

Minardi fan · 29 Aug 2000, 01:52 (Ref:33561)

As long as he stays in F1 where he deserves to be.

Unlike a certain Mr Din...

Gerard · 29 Aug 2000, 23:28 (Ref:33793)

Pedro Diniz will probably change seats with Nick Heidfeld and go to Prost.

Liz · 30 Aug 2000, 00:29 (Ref:33810)

Now Alain can buy engines. Not that those cars will go appreciably faster with engines, come to think of it.

However, the world will be a safer place with Diniz in a car that can only manage about six laps before expiring.

Sharky · 30 Aug 2000, 01:44 (Ref:33823)

I agree with gerard. Verstappen will stay at arrows. I don't see why Tom Walkingshaw would think about replacing him. At least not for Zonta as Verstappen has outperformed him....and Zonta doesn't have any money to bring into a team.

As for diniz...as long as there are teams needing some money he will always be able to land a drive. If he doesn't land a drive with Prost then he'll land a drive with minardi.

Ed-f1 · 30 Aug 2000, 02:39 (Ref:33839)

It seems now that the main seats still up for grabs are Sauber, Arrows and Mclaren test driver. The main drivers still looking for seats are Zonta, Verstappen and Wurz so it seems logical that in some way the 3 drives will go to these 3 drivers.

After all the silliness of silly season there has actually been very little change. The only 'new' drivers comeing in are Panis, Montoya and Burti. I would have liked to see a few others get a chance. Oh well, maybe in 2002.

Stonegold · 30 Aug 2000, 07:24 (Ref:33853)

Don't forget about Johnny Herbert, he could drive at Sauber to next year!!!!!

RussianFriend · 30 Aug 2000, 09:24 (Ref:33878)

Forget about Johny Herbert, he's leaving forever to look for his lost talent. Hope, hi'll find.

Regarding Heidfield transfer, will Mclaren get any usefull information about Ferrary engine?

Sharky · 30 Aug 2000, 20:56 (Ref:34060)

Herbert will go to CART. That's a done deal. Nigel Mansell has already talked with the guys at Newman Haas to get him a drive in CART for next year....and from what I've heard he doesn't want to stay in F1 either.

Interesting question there Russian Friend about Heidfeld and Mclaren.....

Minardi fan · 30 Aug 2000, 23:52 (Ref:34119)

There's still a Minardi seat going too...

Ed-f1 · 31 Aug 2000, 01:38 (Ref:34139)

I thought Mazzacane and Gene were both staying at Minardi because of PSN and Telefonica respectively?

Sharky · 31 Aug 2000, 02:07 (Ref:34144)

I think the Minardi line up will stay is Minardi can keep the Telefonica sponsorship. Mazzacane has all the PSN money that minardi can't afford to loose and Gene has proven that he doesn't just bring in money but also good results. However I heard on PSN that the guys at Minardi are pretty impressed about this Alonso fellow....and the telefonica sponsorship would work for him too.

Tristan · 31 Aug 2000, 18:31 (Ref:34263)

Gaston Mazzacane IS NOT THAT BAD. REALLY!!

Anyway, I conceed Alonso would be a better deal. Let's hope it goes through.

Ed-f1: you've summed it up to a tee. Congrats.

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