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Factbox of the Spanish GP so far
By BMW Sauber F1 Team April 27 2008
Robert Kubica has secured another a top-four grid position in Barcelona. And despite having qualified ninth, Nick Heidfeld can also hope to secure another good race result. Further Spanish Grand Prix facts… .

- Good performance: In qualifying, the weight of the cars and the respective strategy represent key factors. Therefore, the second knockout phase of qualifying - contested on a light fuel load - usually represents the best indicator of the true balance of power. In this leg, Robert set the second-fastest lap time, with Nick finishing fifth. In Australia, Robert secured the same position. Consequently, it can be expected that the BMW Sauber F1.08 cars are going to deliver in fine style again on Sunday.

- Numerous laps: In the three practice sessions held at the "Circuit de Catalunya", the BMW Sauber F1 Team completed an impressive number of laps. Altogether, Nick and Robert lapped the circuit 164 times, representing a total mileage of around 763 kilometres.

- Under its own steam: Peter Sauber hopes for the first win for the BMW Sauber F1 Team. "In the past, we came close to securing this maiden win once or twice. Still, these wins would have been the result of favourable circumstances," admits the Swiss. "Should we win now we would do so under our own steam - and that would be a far more impressive achievement."

- Three groups: According to BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen, the balance of power in Formula One currently features three groups: "There are the three top teams, with us being one of them," says the German. "The midfield with Toyota, Red Bull, Williams and so on. And the backmarkers." Now, Theissen adds, it must be the BMW Sauber F1 Team's goal to match the development pace of the front-runners. And he is confident of achieving this. "We have even improved our development chain, compared to last year."

- World premiere: While Formula One is kicking off its European season, the Formula BMW Europe young guns look forward to the maiden race of the BMW series for young hopefuls. Formula BMW Europe is the successor to the former Formula BMW Germany and Formula BMW UK Championship. In 2008, seven of the events will be held as part of the Formula One support programme. On Friday, Frenchman Adrien Tambay secured pole position for the first round which will be held on Saturday afternoon.

 

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