Heidfeld: Schumi's apologies

Nick Heidfeld, at the end of 2009, was convinced that he would eventually find his place in Formula 1. Expected at McLaren, he saw Jenson Button walk past him. Favorite to join Nico Rosberg, he then could not resist the incredible comeback of the seven-time world champion, Michael Schumacher.

Ultimately, the former BMW-Sauber driver found himself on the sidelines, without a starting wheel for the 2010 season. The German driver returned for Bild to this period during which he lost his starting place in F1.

« McLaren wanted me, and the negotiations were close to being finalized “, confides “Quick Nick”. But ultimately, it was Jenson Button who inherited the seat from Heikki Kovalainen, making it possible to form a pair of British world champions within the Woking team.

In discussions with several teams, Nick Heidfeld had interesting proposals in more modest structures than the one he wanted to join. “ I preferred to give my priority to Mercedes », recognizes the man who dreamed of driving for the Stuttgart firm.

But Michael Schumacher entered the track. With his charisma and his track record, Schumi presented more arguments than Heidfeld. As information grew about his arrival, the former BMW-Sauber driver had to have the seven-time world champion on the phone to understand that the matter was serious.

« When we saw each other in Jerez for the first time, he seemed to apologize for taking that place. It was a nice gesture but, if the opposite had happened, I would have done the same thing ", says Heidfeld.

Despite his current situation, Nick Heidfeld wants to concentrate on his role as a test driver at Mercedes but believes he then has every chance of finding a place in the paddock in 2011.