German GP Sauber race notes

Nick Heidfeld and Kimi Raikkonen were unable to finish today's German Grand Prix for Team RED BULL SAUBER PETRONAS. Nick was a first-lap victim of an error of judgement by Jaguar driver Pedro de la Rosa in the first chicane, while Kimi broke a driveshaft while lying a comfortable sixth on the 16th lap.

Nick Heidfeld
I made good starts both times, though my attempt to pass Coulthard in the first chicane went slightly wrong and I had to let him by after missing the entrance. In the restart I arrived at the chicane in seventh place with plenty of space ahead of me. I braked really late and closed right up on Coulthard, and then suddenly de la Rosa crashed into the back of me. I really don't know where he thought he was going. Having seen the race, I feel confident we could have been on the podium.

Kimi Raikkonen
My car was running perfectly and we clearly had the ideal strategy. Sixth place was easy to maintain, and of course we could have been in contention for the final podium position, but without warning a driveshaft broke on the 16th lap. I made it to the pits, but there was nothing that could be done.

Peter Sauber
After our excellent performance in qualifying it is very disappointing not to finish this race with either car. Nick made two very strong starts, and frankly I am unable to understand how de la Rosa could make such a misjudgement in the first chicane. It cost us the chance of another podium finish. Kimi Raikkonen broke a driveshaft, but we don't yet know why. Both cars were highly competitive and clearly we had the right strategy, and at least Kimi Raikkonen was able to confirm the recent progress we have made in race trim.

Chassis:
Heidfeld: C20-07
Raikkonen: C20-06