Sauber Technical Director James Key has explained that returnee Nick Heidfeld is likely to give the team a better ‘reference point’, as he replaces Pedro de la Rosa alongside Kamui Kobayashi for the remainder of the season.
In previous years, under either Peter Sauber or BMW ownership, Heidfeld has spent seven seasons with the Hinwil-based team and he now makes his return after beginning the year as Mercedes GP’s reserve before switching to a Pirelli testing role.
“Well it’s tough of course but we felt that, although Pedro and Kamui were on a fairly similar level, it was quite difficult to tell where we were,” Key told BBC Sport during Friday’s first practice session in Singapore.
“Although Pedro was doing okay, we felt we needed a reference point and we know Nick was very hungry to return; to have Nick in the car now gives us that reference point.”
Key added that he does not expect any advantage on Pirelli tyres at the start of next season, following Heidfeld’s stint with the Milan-based company. “I don’t think so!” he laughed. “I would guess the tyres Nick’s been testing are a long way from what they’ll end up being next year.”
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