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Heidfeld highlights engine discrepancy
ESPNF1 Staff
November 1, 2010
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Nick Heidfeld mulls over the data with team-mate Kamui Kobayashi © Sutton Images
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Nick Heidfeld said that the reason he has not been as quick as team-mate Kamui Kobayashi is because his engine is not as powerful in a straight line.
Although the pair drive identical Sauber cars, telemetry over the speed traps often show Kobayashi to be quicker in the straights.
Heidfeld took over from Pedro de la Rosa at the team after relinquishing his role as Pirelli's test driver but he has been out-qualified twice and is yet to finish a race higher his team-mate in his three races so far. But the German pointed out on his official website the real reason for the discrepancy.
"Interestingly I did always run exactly the same downforce setting as Kamui" said Heidfeld. "But I might be in the worst position in regard to the engine situation. The team lost 3 of just 8 allowed engines on my car this season. To make matters worse this happened at an early stage where the engines were pretty fresh.
"Therefore the remaining engines have to cover a lot of extra miles. This unfortunately leads to an engine power loss owed to the fact of having "older" engines, which is the reason for losing out on acceleration and top speeds."
Despite his concerns about his power unit, Heidfeld said he was once again looking forward to driving on a circuit that holds special memories for him.
"I have many special memories from Brazilian Grands Prix. In 2001 I achieved my first podium in F1 with Sauber. It was in the rain and it was unforgettable and emotional. In 2002 all of a sudden there was a medical car on the track, which wasn't supposed to be there. The fractions of a second when I was hoping the driver would not step out of the car's door he had just opened seemed to me like an eternity. I wouldn't have had a chance of avoiding hitting him. Luckily he didn't get out.
"For the last four years the championship has been decided in Interlagos, and this can happen again in 2010. In any case, the chances for another exciting race are quite high."
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