Q & A with Nick Heidfeld

Nick Heidfeld: It's better than expected after the winter time, of course. But it could also be better. It can always be better. We could have more points, but then again most of the teams can say that.

For Ferrari and McLaren it has not been perfect and it's the same for us. We are leading the championship and I'm second, but I think it could have been a bit better.

Q. So what did exactly change between winter testing and the start of the season?

NH: I already knew at the end of winter testing that we were quite good, but people somehow didn't listen. They preferred to look at the first comments and the problems we had. But we already knew that we had made big progress. But we didn't expect to be this good.

We have been the second best team and we are leading the championship. A couple of months ago I wouldn't have believed that.

Q. Has the car's handling improved?

NH: The car has improved a lot, but it still a little more difficult to drive than last year's. But it's quicker, which is the most important thing.

Q. So the car is quick but difficult to set up?

NH: It's more difficult to set up than last year, yes. With last year's electronics it would have been easier to hide some of the problems, but this car is clearly more difficult.

Q. Is it more difficult to drive as well?

NH: It is also more difficult and different to drive but it doesn't take a driver too long to get used to it. You have what you have and you just try to drive it as quick as possible.

Q. Do you think you are in a position to win races?

NH: Well, so far we haven't been able to win races. We have three races behind us and three podiums, but there were always cars that were quicker. But hopefully before the end of the season we can win a race in our own power. Right now we can't, but we are working hard on it.

Q. Do you think you have been missing out a little bit in qualifying?

NH: Not in general. I think I missed out a little bit in Bahrain, but in the first two races we were okay. In fact, once I was in qualifying it was not that bad, because I struggled a lot more in practice. But for the fuel level I had it was okay. It should have been even better but it was where I expected to be.

Q. Are you concerned that your teammate is getting more attention even though your performances are not so different?

NH: No. I did two very good races. It's clear that when you have a pole position - the very first one for the team - you get a lot of attention. He did a really good job in Bahrain. Clearly he didn't really struggled as much as me in practice. In the race I think my performance was good.

I think he deserves it so it's okay. As usual I'll just try to beat him over the whole season. I would have liked to get the first pole, of course, but that's the way it is.

Q. Are you surprised about McLaren's form so far?

NH: Yes, I expected them to be stronger.

Q. How about Ferrari?

NH: In the first race they worse than everybody expected but now they are were I expected them to be, although we are closer than I thought.