Robert Kubica’s lacklustre start to the 2007 season may have swinged the balance of power behind closed doors at BMW back in the favour of German veteran Nick Heidfeld.
Although youngster Kubica ended last year arguably as team boss Mario Theissen’s golden boy, Heidfeld has performed strongly so far this season while rookie Pole Kubica has struggled.
Heidfeld, 29, outqualified Kubica in both Australia and Malaysia and has finished twice in fourth place. Kubica’s struggles, meanwhile, came into full focus at Sepang, after he finished dead last following a troubled race.
Sections of the media have also sensed a shifting supremacy off the track. Heidfeld’s manager is thought to have stridently leaked the apparent talks with Toyota about 2008, while Nick himself has been unusually vocal about his distaste for BMW’s Friday driver policy.
Then, after Malaysia, BMW announced that a third driver will not be used at Sakhir this weekend, and possibly beyond.
Theissen is also quoted as telling the specialist magazine Auto Motor und Sport that complaining openly about issues is “Nick’s right” due to his experience.
