Motorsport News

EX-F1 MAN HEIDFELD KEEN TO SAMPLE MORE RALLYCROSS OUTINGS

German racer keen on another challenge after Spanish RX outing

- By Hal Ridge

Former Formula 1 driver Nick Heidfeld is eyeing more rallycross opportunit­ies, following his debut in the mixed-surface discipline within the Spanish round of the World Rallycross Championsh­ip last month.

German driver Heidfeld competed in the RX2e support series for allelectri­c, single-specificat­ion spaceframe machines and finished the event 10th, and last, overall.

Having progressed his pace, with minimal testing pre-event, the ex-F1 podium finisher would like to build on those experience­s.

“It was a huge challenge,” he said. “There are some things that become like reflexes from 35 years of racing in other series, but which don’t work in rallycross. I knew what I needed to do, but then when the situation came, I didn’t do it. I need to change something in my brain to react automatica­lly rather than having to think about it – because the one thing you certainly don’t have in rallycross is time to think. That said,

I was pleased with the weekend overall. I felt I improved throughout and the other drivers were very helpful – which probably means I’m still not quite quick enough to threaten them.”

A former Formula E racer, Heidfeld enjoyed competing in the four-wheeldrive electric rallycross machine and would like to try World RX’s new top-flight electric machinery.

“I’m also obviously a big fan of electric racing,” he added. “The transition to alternativ­e energies is happening globally, and of course it’s important that the leading motorsport championsh­ips set an example.

I think it shows to the world that it the technology is readily there and that it can be exciting, too. Being very serious, I would definitely like to do some more – and it goes without saying that I would love to try out a World RX car should the opportunit­y arise.”

 ?? Photos: Ant Jenkins, Red Bull Content Pool, Colin Casserley ?? Heidfeld enjoyed his run in a RX2e machine in Spain recently
Photos: Ant Jenkins, Red Bull Content Pool, Colin Casserley Heidfeld enjoyed his run in a RX2e machine in Spain recently

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