Peter Sauber Gifts Heidfeld with an F1 Car

Nick Heidfeld has been with Peter Sauber's team for the last 4 years (and 7 overall), which could explain his emotional last outing with the Swiss outfit last Sunday. The German driver managed to cross the finish line in 5th place and admitted that the last laps on the Yas Marina Circuit were very tough to handle because of the mixed emotions.

“It now becomes very emotional. During the last laps I had to pull myself together in order to keep my concentration,” said the 32-year old racer following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend.

Although it was Robert Kubica who recorded Sauber's very best results in history – namely winning a Formula One race last year and also scoring the team's maiden F1 pole position – Heidfeld was the one to receive an emotional gift from the co-owner of the Swiss team. According to a statement from the team, Peter Sauber gave Heidfeld a Formula One car from this era as a “Thank You” note for all the years he has spent at Hinwil.

“As a thank you for Nick Heidfeld's seven years of great commitment to the team in Hinwil, Peter Sauber is giving him a Formula One car from this era,” said the team.

Unless a team pulls out of the 2010 Formula One Championship entry list, BMW Sauber will have to say good-bye to their F1 operations. Although the FIA has constantly tried to resolve the situation for the Swiss team – namely granting it with a 14th entry – the disapproval of certain F1 teams have blocked the team's survival in the series.

Only 13 teams are to enter the 2010 season, with 4 newcomers as part of the new mix: US Grand Prix Engineering, Manor F1, Campos Grand Prix and Lotus F1 Team.