Heidfeld fastest on Barcelona debut

By BMW Sauber F1
March 10 2009

On Monday, Nick Heidfeld's name was at the top of the time-sheets after the first of four days of testing. The BMW Sauber F1 Team driver posted a fastest overall time of 1:20.338 minutes, lapping the 4.655-kilometre "Circuit de Catalunya" in Barcelona 92 times.

Weather conditions: Sunny in the morning, overcast in the afternoon. Temperature: Air: 10 - 18 °C, Track: 11 - 23 °C

Number of drivers participating: 10 from 10 teams

Fastest lap overall: Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber F1 Team) 1:20.338 min Circuit length: 4.655 km

Nick Heidfeld Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.09-04 / BMW 86/9 Test kilometres today: 429 (92 laps) Fastest lap: 1:20.338 min

Programme: With the final pre-season test under way, the BMW Sauber F1 Team geared up to make its final preparations for the Australian Grand Prix. On the first day of the Barcelona test Nick Heidfeld concentrated on race related procedures, i. e. pit stop practice, to fine tune the working relationship between the driver, engineers and mechanics.

Heidfeld also did a couple of practice starts. "The weather was perfect for today's programme", Heidfeld said after completing 92 laps. "We could try a lot of different set-up solutions and even do some aero work."

What comes next: The BMW Sauber F1 Team will continue testing in Barcelona for three more days. Nick Heidfeld will be at the wheel of the BMW Sauber F1.09 again tomorrow. On Wednesday and Thursday Robert Kubica will take over driving duties.