Difficult testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
By BMW Sauber F1 Team
January 16 2008
One day after the roll-out in Valencia, the BMW Sauber F1 Team kicked off the first, full day testing programme in the F1.08. Robert Kubica lapped the "Circuit de la Comunitat" 105 times. Nick Heidfeld who was behind the wheel of the F1.07, completed 74 laps.
Weather conditions: Extremely windy but, apart from some rain at lunch time, dry all day
Temperatures: Air: 15-17°C, Track: 15-20°C
Number of drivers participating: 2 (exclusive BMW Sauber F1 Team test)
Circuit distance: 4.005 km
Robert Kubica Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08-02 / BMW P86/8 Test kilometres today: 420,525 km (105 laps)
Nick Heidfeld Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.07-06 / BMW P86/8 Test kilometres today: 300,375 km (74 laps)
Programme: The first scheduled proper test day with the new F1.08 driven by Robert in Valencia was hampered by adverse weather conditions as there were very strong winds in Valencia. Therefore it was impossible to gain any useful test results today. The BMW Sauber F1 Team concentrated on system checks on long runs with the new car. Nick was at the wheel of the F1.07 and carried out set-up work with the standard ECU and race start simulation.
What comes next: Tomorrow Marko Asmer will be driving the F1.07B. It is the second time the young Estonian (23) will get behind the wheel of the team’s Formula One car. Also tomorrow Nick will have his first drive with the new BMW Sauber F1.08. The team hopes for better weather conditions and productive set-up work with the new car to verify the wind tunnel data.
Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: BMW Sauber F1 (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 18:08
Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: Raid Phoenix (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 18:10
On the good side, there was bad weather at Jerez too, so other team couldn't do more than us hehe
Yesterday in Valencia was already windy.
Racing against the machine!
Yesterday in Valencia was already windy.
Racing against the machine!
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: janz4U (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 18:38
well bmw looks good this time.
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: German Rocket (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 21:09
According to gpupdate, Kubica did 105 laps vs Heidfeld's 74 today ( 16/1 ). Very good amount of laps. Nothing about bits falling off or gearbox failure on the f1.08, although I'm not sure about the smoke coming off Heidfeld's f1.07 car in one of the photo updates.
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: barteks (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 21:12
It's a pity Robert was unable to give his feedback to the engineers 
Do we know something more what happened with F1.07 (smoke)?
Do we know something more what happened with F1.07 (smoke)?
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: barteks (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 21:21
Today's times:
Robert 1:13:926
Nick 1:14:498
Robert 1:13:926
Nick 1:14:498
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: Walsingham (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 21:30
I wonder where are those times come from?
No matter if these are real times or someone imaginations I wouldnt pay to much attention to them. We have to wait for tests with other teams to have some very very rough idea about F1.08 potential.
No matter if these are real times or someone imaginations I wouldnt pay to much attention to them. We have to wait for tests with other teams to have some very very rough idea about F1.08 potential.
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: tatto79 (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 11:25
what about today?did they find good weather and some fast laptimes?
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: German Rocket (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 17:10
Really happy with the progress so far. The new 08 ran 117 laps trouble free while Kubica ran 76 on the 07. According to the reports, everyone is happy as the car reacted according to expectations.
Tomorrow both drivers will continue the final day with Heidfeld again on the 08 and Kubica the 07.
Tomorrow both drivers will continue the final day with Heidfeld again on the 08 and Kubica the 07.
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: Gemm (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 17:31
It was Asmer today in F1.07
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: Walsingham (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 17:45
Looks good when it comes to numbers of laps. Certainly better then during first tests of F1.07 in Valencia, last year: Valencia 2007 tests
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: German Rocket (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 17:57
Ha, you got me there Gemm. I was pre-occupied with the f1.08 I always get the goosebumps just by looking at it. The hi-res photos posted by Shonguiz here ( amazing pictures, speechless );
Anybody got the times yet ?
[forums.autosport.com]
Anybody got the times yet ?
[forums.autosport.com]
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: Gemm (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 18:40
No problem.mate...
Thw pic with "what is it?"
Chassis flexing sensor?
Roll sensor to set Anti-roll bar setup?
I am so happy new car made so many laps...
KK: please help us...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:01:17:18:41:59 by Gemm.
Thw pic with "what is it?"
Chassis flexing sensor?
Roll sensor to set Anti-roll bar setup?
I am so happy new car made so many laps...
KK: please help us...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:01:17:18:41:59 by Gemm.
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: German Rocket (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 18:57
Regarding the what's that? tusk-like wing, Heidfeld's sport a rather thicker version than Asmer's f1.07. I don't think its an aero piece.
I'm stumped. Looked like a sensor to me. Could be an evolution of the ugly twin towers. Anyone got a better idea ?
I'm stumped. Looked like a sensor to me. Could be an evolution of the ugly twin towers. Anyone got a better idea ?
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: Gemm (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 19:23
too thin for aero device...definitely a sensonr tome
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: Walsingham (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 19:30
Its not that thin, sabres of F1.07 where thinner. And it's on both sides of the car i think. Jaime sugessted it works both as aero device and balast. May be sensors of course but it looks like sabres "made by Albert".
Compare the two F1.07 hi res Photo and F1.08 hi res photo
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:01:17:19:45:34 by Walsingham.
Compare the two F1.07 hi res Photo and F1.08 hi res photo
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:01:17:19:45:34 by Walsingham.
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: SchuFOREVER (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 19:32
How did Asmer do today? Estonian media is reporting that he is going to test again next week, but no contract is expected to be signed before the very last days of this month.
And Heidfeld, first time driving the F1.08 (not counting demo).
And Heidfeld, first time driving the F1.08 (not counting demo).
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: popilirol a.k.a. rolren (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 21:17
Great number of laps indeed! I was surprised to read 117 laps with a new car on its run and without the slightest failure. 
BMW Power
BMW Power
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: Gemm (IP Logged)
Date: 18/01/2008 14:51
[www.f1today.nl]
It's hard to believe but on Wed new car was over 2 secs !!!!! quicker than old one...Amazing!
It's hard to believe but on Wed new car was over 2 secs !!!!! quicker than old one...Amazing!
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: barteks (IP Logged)
Date: 18/01/2008 14:56
I'm speechless!
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: Walsingham (IP Logged)
Date: 18/01/2008 15:20
Well guys Im as excited as you but as a cool headed scientist 
I'm gonna play advocatus diaboli in this case. Conditions were wierd, this is only testing and we dont know what programms they've had and those times are far from 07 record of this track.
I'm gonna play advocatus diaboli in this case. Conditions were wierd, this is only testing and we dont know what programms they've had and those times are far from 07 record of this track.Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: German Rocket (IP Logged)
Date: 18/01/2008 15:33
So this is the official times for the 1st day of testing with the 100km/h winds and all that, as the day before Kubica ran just a few laps for the roll-out. Very very encouraging.
I just hope we get yesterday's times.
I just hope we get yesterday's times.
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: German Rocket (IP Logged)
Date: 18/01/2008 17:02
Report out for the final day in Valencia. Nick lapped 91 laps against Kubica 41 in the 07. Nick lost some time due to steering problems. Again, no times were posted on the official website.
The new 08 proves to be very reliable. Hopefully someone can do some investigative work and post the laptimes.
[www.bmw-sauber-f1.com]|0/
The new 08 proves to be very reliable. Hopefully someone can do some investigative work and post the laptimes.
[www.bmw-sauber-f1.com]|0/
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: Marxx987 (IP Logged)
Date: 18/01/2008 17:37
according to estonian media, Asmer was 0.6 sec. slower than Heidfeld
Re: Difficulting testing for BMW, due to wind and rain
Posted by: barteks (IP Logged)
Date: 18/01/2008 17:40
OK, so looking forward to next week again in Valencia, this time with other teams