Valencia Day 1: Rain Hampers Test

By BMW Sauber F1 Team
February 19 2008

On Tuesday, the BMW Sauber F1 Team commenced another testing programme at Valencia's "Circuit de la Comunitat". Both Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica were on duty at the wheel of their BMW Sauber F1.08 cars, in preparation for the opening rounds of the 2008 season.

With rainy weather and temperatures between 11 and 13°C, the BMW Sauber F1 Team driver pairing covered a total of 114 kilometres (28 laps) on the wet track. Nick lapped the circuit 22 times, while Robert completed a total of six laps. The difficult weather conditions made it virtually impossible for the team to go for quick lap times.

Due to the bad weather conditions the team could not run the first of three test days as scheduled. The team decided to save testing mileage - limited by the regulations - for future sessions. Instead Nick and Robert concentrated on system checks, collecting data with the F1.08 car running on wet and extreme wet tyres. Nick did practice starts in the wet. In the afternoon the team conducted several practice pitstops under different conditions as a special training for the mechanics.

The BMW Sauber F1 Team will continue testing in Valencia for two more days. Tomorrow again Nick and Robert will be the drivers.