Heidfeld earns Sauber point

Heidfeld had to overcome some demanding technical problems to hold sixth place Keystone

Sunday's Formula One Grand Prix action saw Sauber's Nick Heidfeld add another point to the Swiss racing team's impressive haul this season. The German driver finished sixth at the Indianopolis event, which was won by McLaren's Mika Häkkinen.

The Finn’s victory was only his second of the season and comes just two weeks after the former world champion announced his decision to take a year’s break from the sport.

Germany’s Michael Schumacher, who has already made sure of this season’s world championship title, drove his Ferrari across the American finish line in second place, followed by Häkkinen’s British team-mate, David Coulthard.

Sauber’s other driver Kimi Räikkönen, who is set to replace Häkkinen at McLaren next season, had a disappointing drive on Sunday – leaving the race after completing just two laps.

After equalling his best ever performance in pre-season qualifying to start Sunday’s race in sixth place, Heidfeld faced a tough challenge in just holding on to his position. The Sauber driver suffered gear problems near the end of the race, and found himself competing without the use of his first, second and seventh gears.

Nevertheless the single point gained by Heidfeld has helped Sauber hold onto fourth place in the overall constructors championship, behind the Formula One giants of Ferrari, McLaren and Williams.

With one race to go, the Swiss team’s nearest rivals Jordan are just two points adrift, though, after the British-based team’s Italian driver Jarno Trulli finished fourth in Indianopolis.

swissinfo