Motor Racing: Heidfeld to partner Webber at Williams
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.NICK HEIDFELD will partner Mark Webber at Williams-BMW this season. The Formula One team yesterday chose the German in preference to the Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia, who will work as official test and reserve driver.
The 27-year-old from Monchengladbach was told of the decision just before Williams revealed their new FW27 challenger in Valencia. While this will undoubtedly please Williams's engine partner, BMW, who first put him forward, this is far from a political decision. Heidfeld is one of the most consistently underrated drivers despite matching the speed of the rookie Kimi Raikkonen at Sauber-Petronas during his sophomore year in 2001, and pushing an uncompetitive Jordan-Ford into places it had no right to be last season.
"I really wanted this job," said Heidfeld, for whom the drive is a chance to resurrect his career. "This is the greatest opportunity of my life."
"It wasn't an easy decision for us to make," observed the team's owner, Sir Frank Williams, who said much the same in 2000 when he chose the rookie Jenson Button over the Brazilian Bruno Junqueira in very similar circumstances.
"There was little to choose between the two of them and we were fortunate to be able to choose between two drivers who would be a credit to any Formula One team.."
The news will please Webber, the Australian who had previously expressed disdain for Pizzonia, his former team-mate when they were at Jaguar in 2003.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments