Heidfeld causing ripples at Williams?

BSchneiderFan · 24 Feb 2005, 16:33 (Ref:1234604)

http://www.autosport.com/pc_subscrib...=42108&s=5&p=1

Could someone cast some light on this frustratingly oblique snippet from autosport.com?

Kicking-back · 24 Feb 2005, 16:45 (Ref:1234612)

Patrick Head is praising his technical ability - saying he picked up an engine management issue which immediately improved their laptimes - and neither JPM nor Ralf had ever found it in the past two years.

Patrick is delighted with him.

Super Tourer · 24 Feb 2005, 16:48 (Ref:1234614)

www.autosport.com

Williams' former technical director Patrick Head has revealed that Heidfeld wasted little time in telling the team's technical partner BMW about ways to improve the running of its engine – and that a breakthrough was found that neither Juan Pablo Montoya or Ralf Schumacher had ever picked up.

Speaking to journalists about the factors which helped Heidfeld clinch the second Williams seat over test driver Antonio Pizzonia, Head said: “It wasn't just his speed, but the good way he managed himself and all the engineers – particularly the BMW engineers.

“He was actually able to point out some things with the engine management that, when they were changed, immediately gave lap time. We had been carrying these things on the car, in the way the engine was managed, for two years without anyone pointing it out.”

BootsOntheSide · 24 Feb 2005, 17:16 (Ref:1234634)

Well done Nick. It seems like Williams need all the help they can get, and it says a lot that he could spot something so significant so quickly. Hopefully he will have a really successful season and prove himself.

Draven · 24 Feb 2005, 17:17 (Ref:1234635)

Impressive, Good start Nick.
Lets hope that this is remembered by the team if Nick has an off day.

BSchneiderFan · 24 Feb 2005, 17:19 (Ref:1234639)

Reminds me of a story about Thierry Boutsen when he was driving in sportscars (can't remember when), and he picked up a timing problem with the turbos which had eluded the engineers until then.

Justifies my faith in Heidfeld as well. Increasingly, I'll stick my neck out and say he'll finish the year ahead of Webber in the points.

Draven · 24 Feb 2005, 17:25 (Ref:1234648)

I'll be putting money on Heidfeld finnishing ahead of webber. And I'm stingy, so I must be confident!

**Adam43** · 24 Feb 2005, 17:31 (Ref:1234656)

Although, of course, this improvement has helped Webber too!

That is a great little story. Things like that are what makes the difference to teams. A change around can be good for everyone as we have seen with most this off-season.

GP Racer · 24 Feb 2005, 18:04 (Ref:1234693)

I'm not surprised.

I don't think anyone ever thought that either Ralf or JPM were good set-up drivers, or even gave much thought about technical matter's.

Kicking-back · 24 Feb 2005, 18:06 (Ref:1234696)

Not sure about that, GP Racer, last year Williams often praised Ralf's technical ability.

429CJ · 24 Feb 2005, 18:11 (Ref:1234701)

Heidy is a good test driver, problems start, when there's bunch of other cars around him.

Kicking-back · 24 Feb 2005, 18:21 (Ref:1234719)

What problems?

He's been a strong racer throughout his career.

Formula Juan · 24 Feb 2005, 20:19 (Ref:1234921)

I can't see Heidfeld doing much at Williams. He hasen't achieved much so far in his career...so he beat a rookie with less than 20 single seater GP's experience back in 2001...so what? It would have been bad if he haden't. I might be wrong but I'm not expecting too much from him.

maximus · 24 Feb 2005, 20:30 (Ref:1234942)

Has he ever had the car to really show off his skill? Don't write him off just yet.

flor · 24 Feb 2005, 20:57 (Ref:1234967)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formula Juan

I can't see Heidfeld doing much at Williams. He hasen't achieved much so far in his career...so he beat a rookie with less than 20 single seater GP's experience back in 2001...so what? It would have been bad if he haden't. I might be wrong but I'm not expecting too much from him.

Well he has better than Juan in F3000 and would have won it in his first year if there hadnt been the fuel prob at the last race

BootsOntheSide · 24 Feb 2005, 21:26 (Ref:1235008)

Heidfeld only had 1 season of F1 experience (in one of the worst cars of modern times) when he faced Kimi, so it was hardly a certainty that he would win, especially as Kimi proved to be so good. On top of that, he matched and often beat Alesi at Prost, demolished Massa in 2002, matched Frentzen in 2003 and demolished Pantano last season, and he's pretty much the only driver to challenge for the F3000 title as a rookie.

**Adam43** · 24 Feb 2005, 21:39 (Ref:1235028)

Quote:

Originally Posted by flor

Well he has better than Juan in F3000 and would have won it in his first year if there hadnt been the fuel prob at the last race

I don't think that is likely. He had al on to beat Montoya in the last race even without that IIRC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Heidfeld only had 1 season of F1 experience (in one of the worst cars of modern times) when he faced Kimi, so it was hardly a certainty that he would win, especially as Kimi proved to be so good.

When Kimi was with Heidfeld at Sauber Nick was vastly more experienced, not only in F1 races, F1 miles, but also anything remotely comparable. However I wouldn't right Heidfeld off in that year, he did well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formula Juan

I can't see Heidfeld doing much at Williams. He hasen't achieved much so far in his career...so he beat a rookie with less than 20 single seater GP's experience back in 2001...so what? It would have been bad if he haden't. I might be wrong but I'm not expecting too much from him.

On the other side to say Nick hasn't acheived anything misses much I think. you could say the same about Webber with little or no change in thinking. He is a good choice and, remember, Williams chose him and are keep saying positive things about him.

Formula Juan · 24 Feb 2005, 21:43 (Ref:1235036)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

matched Frentzen in 2003

No he didn't!! He was slaughtered by HHF!

Don K · 24 Feb 2005, 21:50 (Ref:1235043)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Heidfeld ... and he's pretty much the only driver to challenge for the F3000 title as a rookie.

I think Montoya also challenged for the F3000 title as a rookie.

Kicking-back · 24 Feb 2005, 21:50 (Ref:1235044)

No, he wasn't - they we're evenly matched.

Go and check the lap times!

ASCII Man · 24 Feb 2005, 21:54 (Ref:1235049)

He's got a point..

2003

11th Frentzen 13 points (1 x 6th, 1 x 5th and 1 x 3rd)
14th Heidfeld 6 points (2 x 8th and 1 x 5th)

Conclusion: Nick was pwned!

BTW, laptimes don't mean anything, it's the points that really matter!

Formula Juan · 24 Feb 2005, 22:00 (Ref:1235058)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASCII Man

He's got a point..

2003

11th Frentzen 13 points (1 x 6th, 1 x 5th and 1 x 3rd)
14th Heidfeld 6 points (2 x 8th and 1 x 5th)

Conclusion: Nick was pwned!

BTW, laptimes don't mean anything, it's the points that really matter!

Spot on bro

raul_iulian · 24 Feb 2005, 22:11 (Ref:1235072)

Impressive, Good start Nick.
AND he'll finish the year ahead of Webber in the points.
Although, this improvement has helped Webber too!
Hope to see him win.... THX

DKGandBH · 24 Feb 2005, 22:14 (Ref:1235077)

Quote:

Originally Posted by maximus

Has he ever had the car to really show off his skill? Don't write him off just yet.

You don't need good a car to show off your skills. In fact, I think the reverse is quite true...

If you can make a bad car (Minardi) perform above where it belongs, then this displays true talent just as much as winning in a good car does.

Talent does not come from the car.

DKGandBH

marcus · 24 Feb 2005, 23:07 (Ref:1235138)

yes Mr BMW I think it best if we Do Connect the tenth spark plug lead.

nick your a genious

well done I hope it really improves things for williams

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