Renault’s Nick Heidfeld: Formula 1 drivers have to adhere to team orders – Formula 1 news
Renault Formula 1 driver Nick Heidfeld has stated that the F1 drivers have to listen to the teams’ request during racing and must put the team in front of their personal goals and achievements.
Heidfeld, who gave away his position back in the 2008 Formula 1 season in Montreal for Robert Kubica, stated that he does not regret his decision to let Kubica go because the team was better served by the Pole finishing first.
The German driver is in the twilight of his career and is yet to win a race in his career. However, he faced the reality and slowed down for the Pole in the Montreal race.
Heidfeld stated, “In Canada I was leading and in front of Robert, who was on a different strategy where he had to stop again for new tyres. I did not. So that he could use his strategy I let him pass, the team had calculated that they would either get first
place for me and fourth for Robert, or if I helped then a one-two.”
The German further added, “I also know that some drivers have ignored the requests of their teams. But I'm not just a Formula One driver but also a member of a team and you can't forget that.”
The team orders drama saw its first episode of the 2011 Formula 1 season when in the Silverstone Grand Prix Red Bull team ordered Mark Webber to maintain the gap from Sebastian Vettel in the final stages of the race. The Aussie did not respond to the call
and was very annoyed at the end of the race.
In the 2010 season, Ferrari were criticised for giving orders to Felipe Massa to slow down for Fernando Alonso as well.
Nevertheless, the 2011 season will be entering into its most interesting phase where more and more team orders will come into play for Red Bull team in favour of Vettel.
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