Heidfeld and the slick tires

Nick Heidfeld admitted that he was more than satisfied with the laps he completed in Jerez, Spain. The performance is indeed on point, but the use of slick tires also helps explain this enthusiasm.

It’s been years since the driver had the opportunity to drive with this type of tires.

The BMW Sauber driver completed 10 laps on Bridgestone slick tires. The Japanese company aims to gather data for a preliminary evaluation for a possible return of this type of tire in 2009.

Heidfeld had driven an F1 car with slick tires when he tested a McLaren several years ago at Silverstone. The German driver admitted that he was very happy to see this type of tires on his car again.

« In 2000, the tires were already grooved, so it was in 1999 that I had the opportunity to drive with this very particular type of tire, » said Heidfeld to autosport.com during the Jerez tests.

« At the end of the session, we saw a completely unusual reaction from the tires. It was like going back in time, it looked so strange.

Heidfeld made good use of these tires as he set the fastest time on the first day of testing and admitted that the car was easier to drive.

« Obviously, there was no more grip. It was easier to drive the car, it is a bit more forgiving and it seems easier to correct mistakes in this case than with grooved tires. It is also true that I could only do 10 laps in these conditions, » he added.

« In fact, I expected a huge difference in the turns where speed is reduced, and only a small difference in higher speed zones. But, the opposite happened, which is quite surprising. »