Q & A with Nick Heidfeld

Nick Heidfeld: No, because the GPS system does not work here. Normally we are pretty good from the team side to inform me of cars arriving, but here it is not just working. It doesn't show you cars, it then shows the wrong cars or the wrong positions. So I was not informed because the GPS does not work.

The last part of the circuit was so tight and I watched the mirrors but you don't see cars coming. When I saw him (Rubens) I tried to do the best I could to get out of the way. After the white line I tried to be as quick into the pitlane without moving completely right and going into his way. It was the best I could do. But apparently it was not enough.

Q. Do you feel it was a bit unfair as you could not go anywhere else?

NH: I would agree, but that is the way it is with the marshals. As I said with Lewis (Hamilton, at Spa), you get a penalty and you have to accept it. Unfortunately I don't agree but there is nothing I can do. It is just a bit frustrating because even before the race weekend started it was obvious that there would be issues with the pitlane entry and pitlane exit, so I don't know why it wasn't thought through properly.

Q. Is it something that will need to be changed for next year?

NH: Yes, clearly. And I am sure it will be. It was just difficult to do in such a short time. We discussed it yesterday (in the drivers' briefing) and the line was changed in order to make it a bit better. I don't think it is better, but other people think it is. So it is a bit mixed. But I said it was not better before the incident, so it is not related to that.

Q. And it is a shame for you, because qualifying looked quite good up until then?

NH: Yeah, I was really happy with qualifying. The improvements from yesterday to today were good. I pushed hard, had some good laps. I was happy with sixth position and, also I think the fuel is not too bad, but on a circuit like there where you cannot overtake, from sixth to ninth is a huge difference.

Q. How tough will the race be?

NH: I think it will be the hardest race of the season physically. If you look at the drivers, they all sweat like shit. It is incredible. I thought it would be okay because we drive around at night, but if you walk around like this (in a shirt and shorts) then it is okay. If you have the overalls on you still feel like it is 30 degrees. It is horrible.