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Lopez surprised by Heidfeld reaction
ESPNF1 Staff
August 30, 2011
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Nick Heidfeld was the centre of much attention at Spa-Francorchamps © Sutton Images
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Renault majority shareholder Gerard Lopez says he has been surprised by Nick Heidfeld's reaction to be dropped by the team.
Heidfeld was replaced by Bruno Senna for the Belgian Grand Prix and Senna will stay in the car for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza as well. The intention is for him to remain with Renault for the rest of the season but the team has been unable to confirm his seat as Heidfeld has lodged legal proceedings in an attempt to regain his place. A hearing will take place on September 19, but Lopez said it's a case of Heidfeld letting his emotions get the better of him.
"I was surprised," Lopez told the Tageblatt Luxembourg. "I would say it is an emotional reaction. His performance was not right so we need to test other drivers. Nick has always been a good colleague but we told him that we had not from him what we had expected. He was always treated with respect and that will continue, because he is still a member of the team."
In a statement on Friday, Heidfeld expressed his own surprise of how the situation had unfolded.
"I was surprised by the team's intention to replace me and regret that things have developed this way," Heidfeld said. "I just wanted to be in the cockpit to get the best result for the team and me. I still have a clear contract and I want to drive."
Heidfeld also told the BBC that he felt he had a strong case that would allow him to return.
"I cannot be very specific as something is pending. It's disappointing not to be here as a race driver but that is the situation at the moment and I have to live with that. If we would not be confident that we have a case here, we wouldn't follow it up and yes, I believe this is the situation. I have a good feeling inside the team. People like me. I've worked with the team for over a year and always enjoyed working with them."
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Nick has a podium this year, and is tied on points with Petrov, and Petrov's car has been more reliable. Senna has had one decent qualy, and a substantial first lap shunt, in which took out other cars. He makes STUPID decisions around other cars, and if he had a different last name, he'd be nowhere near an F1 car. He's like the Brazilian equivalent of Marco Andretti......
Posted byNick has been quick back to 2000 with Sauber, having Raikönnen as team mate, he could show some strong pace but he's missing the killer instinct and that's why he never won a single race in over 200 starts..i think Renault is doing the race choice to test Senna and soon Grosjean in Malaysia, they need to have a strong driver for 2012 if Kubica doesn't fully recover, but i'm optimistic, we will see him back on track!
Posted bybottom line- performance is not seen. poor driving. not able to get in top 10 also. that bad. i liked nick. had consistent performance in sauber couple of years back which proved he is a good driver. but no big team lifted him. Car may not be performing. but driving is not good in last few races. Similar problem. schumi faced. underperforming car needs good driving to get result. not a good idea. nick carrer is over in F1 which this kind of move. Nick now may have to look for alternatives
Posted byNick's great but receives no support from his team. Contribution not appreciated. It's time to weigh on other alternatives. Wish you all the best, Nick!
Posted byThe one thing I think of in Nick's defence, is that he should do what's right concerning contracts. If drivers would give up their contracts just to look good, soon teams could do anything, and we would have yet more controversy in this sport. I bet there's some people that want it that way, but I'm sick of it. If Heidfeld does have a contract that gives him the races, that's what the contract should mean. I bet that Bruno had something more than the test driver role in his contract in the scenario of Vitaly or Robert leaving for some reason, though. (I have to admit that I don't know how the contracts look. If I'm not true, the Heidfeld move is plain silly) But. Nick. It does look a bit DTM'y for you. I'd pick Bruno over you, allthough I find the name Senna in Bruno Senna sort of in the same way as I looked at Speed in the name Scott Speed.
Posted byI believe Nick is just trying to get the money he was promised in his contract.does anybody believe a guy like Eric would pay out the money?
Posted byJust a thought but is any team obligated to let any one driver (contracted) drive their car? Surely it's their decision on who they want to drive? In my mind as long as Heidfeld gets paid as per his contract he has no say on whether he drives....?
Posted byNick is a very good driver but has consistently shown that he is not in the top tier or anywhere close to it. If he had sponsor money he might be a good fit with Williams but I don't see him with a seat next year.
Posted byNick's time came and went a long time ago. He's a very nice guy but he's just not top class, he has always been an average F1 driver in my mind.
Posted byThis is embarrassing, Nick just needed to bow out gracefully. Instead he is letting his emotions get the best of him, and if he does win the case and gets back in the car why would he think his team would work well with him. Now he's ruined his short future he had left in F1. Lookout Indy! Here comes Not So Quick Nick!