SpanishGP Race: BMW Sauber Reactions
By BMW Sauber F1 Team April 27 2008
The BMW Sauber F1 Team ended up with five Championship points for Robert Kubica after an action packed Spanish Grand Prix. Nick Heidfeld had bad luck as he was forced to refuel during the subsequent safety car period. A stop and go penalty dropped him down from fifth to the back of the pack.
The BMW Sauber F1 Team ended up with five Championship points for Robert Kubica after an action packed Spanish Grand Prix. Nick Heidfeld had bad luck as he was forced to refuel during the subsequent safety car period. A stop and go penalty dropped him down from fifth to the back of the pack.
Robert Kubica: "We had a very good pace during today's race. Unfortunately I lost a position at the start. Anyway at the end our gap to the leader was only five seconds. If someone had told me that yesterday I would not have believed it. I hope Heikki is ok. When I passed the accident I saw the car in a very strange position. The FIA is making great efforts for car safety, so we have to be really thankful to them."
Nick Heidfeld: "At the start I managed to gain the two positions I had wanted to. That's positive, especially because recently we have had less impressive starts. I was fifth in the race when I had bad luck with the timing of the safety car period and my first pit stop. I had just passed the pit entry when I got the signal to come in. I then tried to save fuel and delay my pit stop, but in the end it was the choice between running out of fuel on the track or getting a stop and go penalty."
Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director): "First of all we are all relieved that after his accident Heikki Kovalainen signalled he was okay. Robert lost a position at the start and was close behind Lewis Hamilton turning into the first corner. He was almost as close to Hamilton when he finally crossed the finish line. Nick gained two positions at the start so was well on his way. The safety-car period destroyed our strategy. We literally missed getting Nick into the pit lane before the safety car by a few seconds. As a result he had to refuel during the safety-car period, and we got a 10 second penalty because of that. For our team it was the least points we have scored so far this season, but we had a good performance throughout the weekend without any technical problems."
Willy Rampf (Technical Director): "Overall we expected more from this race. Robert lost a position to Hamilton right after the start and, because they both had a similar speed and were on the same pit stop strategy, he couldn't get third place back. Nick purely had bad luck. Just before he was supposed to come in, the Safety Car went out. His tank was empty and he was forced to enter the pit lane under the red light. The ten second penalty ruined his race."
Nick Heidfeld: "At the start I managed to gain the two positions I had wanted to. That's positive, especially because recently we have had less impressive starts. I was fifth in the race when I had bad luck with the timing of the safety car period and my first pit stop. I had just passed the pit entry when I got the signal to come in. I then tried to save fuel and delay my pit stop, but in the end it was the choice between running out of fuel on the track or getting a stop and go penalty."
Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director): "First of all we are all relieved that after his accident Heikki Kovalainen signalled he was okay. Robert lost a position at the start and was close behind Lewis Hamilton turning into the first corner. He was almost as close to Hamilton when he finally crossed the finish line. Nick gained two positions at the start so was well on his way. The safety-car period destroyed our strategy. We literally missed getting Nick into the pit lane before the safety car by a few seconds. As a result he had to refuel during the safety-car period, and we got a 10 second penalty because of that. For our team it was the least points we have scored so far this season, but we had a good performance throughout the weekend without any technical problems."
Willy Rampf (Technical Director): "Overall we expected more from this race. Robert lost a position to Hamilton right after the start and, because they both had a similar speed and were on the same pit stop strategy, he couldn't get third place back. Nick purely had bad luck. Just before he was supposed to come in, the Safety Car went out. His tank was empty and he was forced to enter the pit lane under the red light. The ten second penalty ruined his race."
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| 3 weeks ago | Report |
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German Rocket (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Posts: 472 |
Re: SpanishGP Race: BMW Sauber Reactions
[www.autosport.com]
Theissen said the two teams are extremely close in terms of pace.
"Our pace was okay - I don't know if Ferrari had something in their pocket. If not, the three teams at the top have certainly come closer together.
"It was close. Due to the start, Robert went behind Lewis into the first corner and he went behind Lewis over the finish line, they both had the same pace and the same strategy, pitted on the same laps, so it's more than close."
He added: "Robert's car was not perfect as opposed to Nick's. initially, the start was very good and then he got some wheelspin under acceleration and we have to look into it – I don't know the reason behind it at the moment."
Theissen said the two teams are extremely close in terms of pace.
"Our pace was okay - I don't know if Ferrari had something in their pocket. If not, the three teams at the top have certainly come closer together.
"It was close. Due to the start, Robert went behind Lewis into the first corner and he went behind Lewis over the finish line, they both had the same pace and the same strategy, pitted on the same laps, so it's more than close."
He added: "Robert's car was not perfect as opposed to Nick's. initially, the start was very good and then he got some wheelspin under acceleration and we have to look into it – I don't know the reason behind it at the moment."
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| 3 weeks ago | Report |
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BMW: The Essence of Racing |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Spain Posts: 5277 |
Re: SpanishGP Race: BMW Sauber Reactions
That wheelspin explains why he lost it to Hamilton.
It was actually not the start part that worried Robert which caused him to lose it. Strange.
In fact Nick had a great start.
As for safety car Rules, IMo, they should be changed to just a drive through or a time penalty after the race (ie 10 or 25 secs).
Regards, Jaime
BMW Sauber Latest News HERE!
>y en Español ¡Aquí!<
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:28:08:46:32 by J-Raid.
It was actually not the start part that worried Robert which caused him to lose it. Strange.
In fact Nick had a great start.
As for safety car Rules, IMo, they should be changed to just a drive through or a time penalty after the race (ie 10 or 25 secs).
Regards, Jaime
BMW Sauber Latest News HERE!
>y en Español ¡Aquí!<
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:28:08:46:32 by J-Raid.
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