According to Eric Boullier, Nick needs to step it up a bit. I can sort of understand where he's coming from as Heidfeld's average qualifying position (ignoring Spain as that is an anomaly caused by car failure) is about 13th and Petrov's is 8th/9th. Presumably, if this trend continues then Petrov may end up beating Heidfeld over the course of the season. Currently, Heidfeld is ahead by 8 points which is due, in part, to Petrov binning it in Malaysia and also being involved in that red flag incident in Monaco. If Petrov continues to get into Q3 and Heidfeld doesn't, I would't be surprised to see Heidfeld not being kept on, should Kubica not return next year (which I think is probable). Having said all that, I agree with Boullier that, on race day, Heidfeld is performing very well despite an inconsistent start to the season. If he get's his qualifying sorted then I think we'll see some more podiums from him and that may guarantee his place for next year.
I think he's doing well but needs to improve in quali. If he keeps getting out qualified, I wouldnt be suprised if we see Robert back in the car come Brazil.
As a Renault fan myself I was expecting more from 'Quick nick'. I personally would like to see Bruno senna have a try but then I hear the team is down on finance at the moment so maybe a richer driver may have to step in =(
I have been surprised by how close Petrov is to Heidfeld, I expected Heidfeld to be comfortably beating him. His partial year out last year seems to have made him rusty
Ive already expressed my views about this another thread, but just want to add: To tell a driver they're "not good enough" isnt going to do any good to their confidence, especially to say it publicly.
Well, as I already posted elsewhere, Boullier seems to like to make these little public chastisements. He repeatedly did the same with Petrov last season. I'm not sure they mean much more than they say though, as no action was taken against Petrov. Then again, it was implied that Nick was only hired for the short-term. I too would like to see Bruno get a chance, not sure how realistic that is though.
Maybe Boullier should start giving Bruno Senna Friday running, that would help prepare him, compare him and motivate them.
I think it'd be great to get Senna in the car. I think he has talent, but hasn't been able to show it. If Heidfeld doesn't hurry it up, Senna coming in is exactly what will happen, Piquet was replaced by your test driver, much in the same way Heidfeld will be.
Petrov is a good driver, he just went through a rough rookie season, as many do. Massa was crashing left right and centre during his
He might do. That does seem to be how drivers are being fed into F1 these days. At Toro Rosso for example, you got Daniel Ricciardo being fed in, to presumably replace Alguesuari, who I think is a good driver, just a bit like a bull in a china shop really. Buemi is no great either though :/
Kubica might want to come back for Brazil, but I'm not sure whether the Renault management would want to risk it. Also, what's the point? Might as well have a whole year out, and use the winter to it's full extent for preparation for the '12 campaign
The day the FIA consider him ok for F1 racing is the day he comes back. No other excuses, it's as simple as that
Nick has to improve? what, on the speed of getting out of a burning car? They cannot afford more singed gloves and pants?
A driver of the 4th/5th best car is sitting 6th, ahead of his team-mate, both Mercedes and a Ferrari and he's getting a reprimand from one of his bosses for not being quick enough. Gotta feel a bit sorry for Nick, who says F1 isn't ruthless?
Very true, up to a point. Renault can stop him if they want to, he is after all, driving for them, and if they feel he's not going to be up to scratch, having been out for so long, they wouldn't put him in
He does need to sort out his game, but I think he has the talent to start beating Petrov. Only time will tell but I'm sure he'll be a safe best for good points in every race come mid season. Is that too late though?
I wonder if Renault's real problem is not so much Heidfeld (or Petrov) but that they don't have the resources to keep up in the development race. They're not as strong now as they were at the start of the season.
