Nick Heidfeld

Nick Heidfeld was one of the bright young hopes at the turn of the millennium in the lower levels of racing as a protégé of McLaren Mercedes. After joining Formula 1, however, he spent years at weaker teams while newer drivers came in above him. He eventually lost hope of going to the top team that had nurtured him. But in 2005 he began a relationship with BMW at the Williams team which was to pay off when the German car manufacturer started its own team in 2006 and took Heidfeld with it.