By BMW Sauber F1 Team
June 17 2007

The 2007 US Grand Prix that was won by McLaren's Lewis Hamilton didn't take the course the BMW Sauber F1 Team had hoped for. Nick Heidfeld seemed to be on the way to secure the fine fifth place for the BMW Sauber F1 Team. Still, a hydraulics problem forced him into early retirement on lap 56. Sebastian Vettel, however, delivered in fine style.  In his maiden Grand Prix, the German finished eighth, thus adding a point to the team's tally.

Following the start, things looked quite promising for Nick as the German passed Kimi Räikkönen for fourth position. Sebastian Vettel, however, lost some positions in a first-corner incident. The 19-year old nearly got very close to the Renault of Kovalainen and had to brake hard and go over the grass to avoid hitting the Finn. A move that cost him four positions but in the end, dropping back to eleventh position was clearly better than getting involved in an accident resulting in a first-lap retirement. On lap two, Sebastian was back up in tenth position as Renault's Fisichella went off and dropped back.

At the same time, Nick succeeded fending off Räikkönen's effort to pass him - until both he and the Finn had pitted for the first time, on laps 21 and 24 respectively. Following the stop, however, things got difficult, for Nick. While the German contested his second stint on the medium compound, the Ferrari driver opted for continuing on the softs, thus benefiting from a higher grip level. And indeed, on lap 28, Räikkönen passed Nick on the start-finish straight.

Still, Nick clearly was on course to finish fifth but on lap 56, the BMW Sauber 1 Team driver suddenly slowed down and stranded in the infield.

At the same time, Sebastian drove an unobtrusive but satisfying race. Following the first-corner incident, he was in a difficult position and hampered by some slower cars. Still, the young German avoided taking too many risks, displayed a lot of patience and in the end, he was rewarded. At first, he moved up to ninth position, due to the retirement of his team-mate. And when Rosberg had to retire from sixth position, on lap 70, he inherited the eighth position he had well deserved.

"The race wasn't as successful as we had hoped for," admitted BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen, "But we have experienced a very successful year so far and scored more points than in the entire 2006 season. Races like this just happen but in two weeks time, in France, we will give our very best to deliver in better style. And - thanks to Sebastian having scored a point - we haven't to leave Indianapolis empty-handed."