Heidfeld gets emotional as BMW bows out
Monday, Nov. 02, 2009
AP
Bby his teammate BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica of Poland , following by his teammate BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany and McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain leave the pits during the first free practice sessio at the Yas Marina racetrack , in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct.30, 2009. The Emirates Formula One Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, Nov.1. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
AP
Force India driver Giancarlo Fisichella of Italy leads BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany, left, Toyota driver Jarno Trulli of Italy and Ferrari Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland, right, into turn one at the start of the Belgium Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe)
AP
BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany steers his car, during qualifying session ahead the Belgium Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit , Belgium, Saturday, Aug. 29 2009. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
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BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany steers his car during the qualifying session ahead of the Belgiuan Formula One Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. He clocked the third fastest time. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
AP
Force India driver Giancarlo Fisichella of Italy, center, pole position, Toyota driver Jarno Trulli of Italy, second fastest time, right, and BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany pose for photographers on the pits after the qualifying session ahead of Belgium's Formula One Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Nick Heidfeld was overcome by emotion as he drove the final laps of Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to close out BMW's time in Formula One.
The German carmaker has withdrawn from F1, putting the future of the remnants of the Swiss-based team in doubt. Heidfeld finished fifth to lift the team to a sixth-place finish in the constructors' championship.
"It is a pleasing end to our last season together," Heidfeld said. "During the last laps, I had to pull myself together in order to keep my concentration."
To thank him for seven years of service with the team, Peter Sauber will give Heidfeld one of the team's cars to keep as a memento.
BMW's departure was one of several farewells at the final race of the 2009 season, the other big one Fernando Alonso from the Renault team with which he won two world championships.
Alonso, who is joining Ferrari in 2010, finished 14th in his final race with the team.
"I would like to thank the entire team for everything that we have achieved together over the years," Alonso said. "We had some great victories and won championships together. It has been the most amazing seven years of my career and something I will never forget."
Another long-standing servant moving on is Nico Rosberg, who finished ninth in his final race with Williams.
Rosberg's new team has not been announced, but the German has been closely linked to Brawn GP or McLaren for next year.
"It's been a long season and I would really like to thank all the team for their effort during the last four years," Rosberg said. "We have had a great time together."
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