Nick Heidfeld hasn't finished higher than seventh following his third place in Malaysia © Sutton Images
Renault team principal Eric Boullier says that Nick Heidfeld's performances for the team this season have been "good, but not good enough".
Heidfeld stepped in to the team over the winter following Robert Kubica's rally accident in Italy which ruled him out indefinitely, and impressed with a podium at the second race of the season in Malaysia. Since then, however, Heidfeld has only been able to pick up lesser points in the lower half of the top ten, and Boullier told Speed Week that he felt it was because he couldn't deliver a sustained performance over a grand prix weekend.
"Nick starts at the pace of Vitaly Petrov but there is always a drop," Boullier said. "We need to sit down and I need to understand what Nick's concerns are. On Sunday he is good, very good indeed."
Petrov was also on the podium at the first grand prix in Australia, as Renault appeared to have a competitive and innovative car. Since dropping off the early front-running pace, Boullier admitted to L'Equipe that the team appeared to be missing the leadership of Kubica.
"Robert was able to manoeuvre into a leadership role," he said. "He is demanding and knows in himself what he wants from the team. If he sees that things are not going well, he hits his fist on the table hard. But Robert is not here now."
Boullier also said it was unlikely to see Petrov take on the mantle of team leader as he still needs guidance through his second season in Formula One.
"Vitaly needed someone who could tell him what time at the track he is expected in the morning so he's not late for meetings, how to organise his day and how to behave off the track."
Credit: ESPN F1 (en.espnf1.com)
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