German needs a good performance in Belgium to save his career

BMW technical boss Willy Rampf clearly wasn’t impressed with Nick Heidfeld’s sluggish drive at Valencia a couple of weeks ago. The German qualified in eighth but ended up out of the points, in ninth. “His pace was simply too slow,” Rampf said, not making any effort to honey his words.

Robert Kubica’s seat is assured for 2009 - indeed, BMW may struggle to keep the Pole if he continues to impress - but Heidfeld’s is in serious danger. If Heidfeld doesn’t score any points at Spa this weekend, his fate may be sealed.

BMW chief Mario Theissen is also putting the pressure on his No.2 driver: “We plan to see both cars finish solidly in the points [at Spa],” Theissen told German magazine Focus.

The message to Nick is clear: drive faster or we’ll replace you.

Where could Heidfeld go if BMW lose patience with him? Toro Rosso is an option. Heidfeld’s manager, Andre Theuerzeit, was spotted more than once in the Red Bull motor home at Valencia, fuelling rumours that he was trying to convince Gerhard Berger to consider his man for 2009.

When asked about this by Sport Bild, Berger said, diplomatically: “If Nick is on the market then you have to have a look at him.”

However, we can’t see Toro Rosso wanting to pay big money for Nick’s considerable experience. The team’s policy is to blood hungry (and cheap) young drivers, not to find a home for drivers whose powers are on the wane.

[Paddock Talk]