Nick Heidfeld has set himself an ambitious target for the 2011 season – to finish higher than sixth position.
The Renault driver currently sits in sixth place in the championship table with 29 points to his name, three ahead of Nico Rosberg, but the German says he aims to finish higher, which would mean jumping Fernando Alonso. Though the Spaniard has a 40 point advantage.
“This is what I targeted two races ago [sixth place] so it is nice having achieved this short term goal,” said Heidfeld.
“I’m now ahead of Nico [Rosberg] and Felipe [Massa], so it is a motivation for me to keep striving to do well and scoring points to stay ahead.
“I am quite a way off Fernando [Alonso] in fifth position still, however the season is long and my target is to move further forward,” he admitted.
An early podium finish in Malaysia has given Heidfeld the bulk of his points haul and he understands if he is to beat Alonso, the team need to continue to push the development of the R31.
“What’s more important, though, is that we continue to understand and develop the car so that our performance improves as a team. Once this happens, the chance of securing big points will become more and more likely.”
