Nick Heidfeld

 

A driver who needs little introduction, Nick Heidfeld turned his hand to rallycross after achieving global success in Formula 1, Formula E and round-the-clock endurance racing classics the Nürburgring and Le Mans 24 Hours.

Early title triumphs in domestic Formula Ford and Formula 3 series as well as International Formula 3000 brought Heidfeld to the attention of F1 team bosses, with McLaren-Mercedes appointing him its official test-driver in 1999. He went on to claim no fewer than 13 podium finishes in motorsport’s top flight between 2000 and 2011, competing for leading teams including BMW, Williams and Renault and placing a career-high fifth in the World Championship classification in 2007.

Affectionately dubbed ‘Quick Nick’, after stepping down from F1, the German showcased his versatility by similarly establishing himself as a front-runner in both Formula E – reaching the rostrum on eight occasions in the all-electric series – and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

From four starts in the American Le Mans Series in 2013, Heidfeld was never off the podium – taking victory at Petit Le Mans en route to second in the drivers’ standings – while the following year, he sped to glory in the LMP1-L class of the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours with Rebellion Racing.

The Mönchengladbach native has also participated in the Nürburgring 24 Hours and held the record for the fastest time up the iconic Goodwood hillclimb for 20 years behind the wheel of a McLaren MP4/13 single-seater.

More than four years on from his last competitive appearance, Heidfeld donned his racing helmet and overalls once more in 2022 to tackle an entirely new discipline, pitting himself against the rallycross stars of the future in the FIA RX2e Championship in Catalunya and making consistent progress over the course of the weekend.