Bahrain GP: Friday preparations start for BMW

By BMW Sauber F1 Team
April 4 2008

In the first practice session for the Bahrain GP, the BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers experienced no problems whatsoever as they began their setup work and the tyre evaluations. Robert Kubica finished seventh on the time sheets and Nick Heidfeld ended the session in 14th.

The first practice session of the third GP weekend of the 2008 Formula season, the 'desert GP' held in Bahrain, was contested in searing heat, with temperatures reaching 41° C. The BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers used the dry conditions to complete their scheduled programme and successfully start their preparations for the race. As is usual in the Friday sessions, the BMW Sauber F1 Team focused on working on the BMW Sauber F1.08's setup and carrying out tyre evaluations rather than trying to set impressive lap times.

Robert and Nick both completed three runs, with Robert doing one lap less (16) than his German team-mate but setting the faster personal minimum time. In the fourth timed lap of his first stint, the Pole crossed the line in 1:33.333 minutes to temporarily take fifth position. Only in the closing stages of the session, when several other drivers went out to impress with fast lap times, did Robert drop back to seventh place.

Nick also clocked his personal fastest lap time (1:34.106 minutes) on the fourth timed lap of his first stint. But being on a different programme, he was clearly slower than Robert. Like the Pole, Nick didn't improve, for on his subsequent runs he was also driving on a heavy fuel load in preparation for the race. At the end off the session, Nick held fourteenth position on the time sheets.

In the second 90-minute practice session, starting at 14.00hrs local time (12.00hrs BST), the BMW Sauber F1 Team will take its next step on the way to finding the perfect setup and strategy for the race on Sunday.