Nick Heidfeld is hoping to finally eradicate his ‘nearly man’ tag this year after being given an unexpected chance by the Enstone-based Lotus Renault team to prove himself again.

The 33-year-old German appreciates he is fortunate to be racing in Formula 1 this season following an horrific rallying accident involving Robert Kubica.

It is almost certain Heidfeld is in for the season – which gets under way with the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday – as no-one has yet to definitively answer whether Kubica will ever drive again, never mind at some point later this year.

With 172 grands prix starts to his name, there is no doubt Heidfeld has the experience to lead the team.

But it is the fact he has never won a race that continues to hang over him like a cloud.

He has, however, finished runner-up eight times, and it has become a case of whether he will break his victory duck.

“I don’t know, it’s too early to say, but of course I would hope so,” said Heidfeld.

“Everybody keeps asking me all the time, but I just don’t know. If the car is good enough it will happen, but I’m not so tense in my head thinking just about a victory.”

Heidfeld certainly has a car beneath him that is good enough to at least push the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes.

“In theory my chances are higher,” added Heidfeld. “The team is on the up, the car has had some very good developments and testing has gone well.

“However, it is very much an unknown as to whether it is good enough to win this season.”

Heidfeld is joined in the Lotus Renault team by Vitaly Petrov, who had a tough first season last year.