Does Heidfeld deserve a third chance?

[Paradise City]

Johnny Herbert won races with Benetton and later Stewart. The issue with Herbert was his F3000 accident which should have resulted in leg amputations and he was real lucky that didn't happen and luckier he again he got back to win his races years later. He was unlucky to have that accident as he was tipped to be a Schumacher-esque talent.

Heidfeld missed that McLaren seat by a whisker. Many others in F1 have missed similar chances but that doesn't mean Heidfeld was any less unlucky. Still, a driver has got a be philosophical about these things.

[Beryl]

Originally Posted by Paradise City

Johnny Herbert won races with Benetton and later Stewart. The issue with Herbert was his F3000 accident which should have resulted in leg amputations and he was real lucky that didn't happen and luckier he again he got back to win his races years later. He was unlucky to have that accident as he was tipped to be a Schumacher-esque talent.

But you have to admit that Herbert's wins were all inherited and then some: he wouldn't have even been on the podium in any of them without the misfortune of others. His win at Silverstone happened because Damon Hill took out himself and Schumacher and Coulthard got a pit-lane speeding penalty. At Monza, Hill took out Schumacher again and Coulthard and the two Ferraris both retired while well ahead of Herbert. The Jordans were also there or thereabouts racing with Herbert and they both retired. His 1999 win was also much the same, guys in front retiring or having problems.

Very very lucky wins.

[JeremySmith]

Nick did not get the right car at the right time...

[m355y]

Originally Posted by Beryl

But you have to admit that Herbert's wins were all inherited and then some: he wouldn't have even been on the podium in any of them without the misfortune of others. His win at Silverstone happened because Damon Hill took out himself and Schumacher and Coulthard got a pit-lane speeding penalty. At Monza, Hill took out Schumacher again and Coulthard and the two Ferraris both retired while well ahead of Herbert. The Jordans were also there or thereabouts racing with Herbert and they both retired. His 1999 win was also much the same, guys in front retiring or having problems.

Very very lucky wins.

Oh for sure. For someone who people thought was pretty unlucky in his career, to have three wins at the end of it including a British GP victory all inherited with a large dose of luck....with Herbert though its more the fact that without that F3000 accident he could have been so much more. There's the bad fortune. He was a pretty average F1 driver, but quite possibly wouldn't have been but for that day at Brands. Can't think of a driver in F1 who inherited as any wins as he did, at least not someone who didn't win many more on merit.

Fisichella and Trulli though both won races on merit. Fisi led from start to finish in Malaysia 2006 didn't he, and Trulli ditto at Monaco 2004. Fisichellas other two wins could be put down to luck, especially that Brazilian farce.

Suspect Heidfeld would have four or five wins at least if he'd got that McLaren drive, but F1 history deals in ifs and buts.

[Born Racer]

People widely assume that Herbert should have been a great F1 driver and I think they might be wide of the mark, because many drivers are exceptional below F1 level but not as good relative to their rivals when they get there (Magnussen, anyone?).

So we can't necessarily put it down to the accident. Is it a nicer position to be in to know you could have achieved more and people think it wasn't your fault, or to have had the chance and confirmed it or not? I suppose Johnny will know more how much of an effect it had.