Heidfeld is still a relative newcomer to Formula1, following a disappointing debut year with Prost Grand Prix. The young German was highly regarded following his F3000 championship win and time spent testing with McLaren in 1999. However, his star has waned slightly following his time with Prost.

The former Prost driver found his time there difficult for many reasons. The AP03 was acknowledged to be difficult to drive, and the reliability problems that the team experienced did not allow either driver the opportunity to score any World Championship points. He also had trouble settling with the team, and two collisions with his experienced team mate, Jean Alesi, did not help improve the atmosphere in the pits.

His decision to move to Sauber was greeted with delight by the team's boss, Peter Sauber, and already he appears happier with his new employer. He appears to have settled well with the team, perhaps partly because they converse in his native tongue, and has been extremely positive in his appraisal of the new car.

He spent some time at the top of the time sheets in testing during December, with the old car, which delighted him and he is facing 2001 with an air of renewed optimism.