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The story so far in Hungary for BMW Sauber
By BMW Sauber F1 Team
August 1 2008
The BMW Sauber F1 Team has already lined up twice at the Hungarian Grand Prix. We'd like to refresh your memory of the events of 2006 and 2007 .

2006 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Things started looking up again in Budapest. In chaotic, wet conditions, Nick Heidfeld clinched the first podium place for the new BMW Sauber F1 Team. Robert Kubica had replaced Jacques Villeneuve in the second F1.06 and the team did without a Friday driver. The first Polish driver in Formula One started from ninth on the grid just in front of Nick. Robert skidded twice in extremely difficult conditions and a repair stop put paid to his race strategy. He drove 51 laps on intermediates, latterly on a dry track. The result was extreme and unexpected rubber loss, which meant his car was ultimately two kilograms under the stipulated weight. The Pole had fought his way up into seventh place but had to relinquish his first two championship points. Meanwhile, wet race aficionado Nick had carved his way through the field, benefited from outstanding pit stops and finished third, although his car was damaged after Michael Schumacher needlessly drove into his rear in the final stages of the race.

2007 Hungarian Grand Prix.
In the customary heat of the Budapest race, Nick finished third to claim his second podium of the season. The strategically challenging race saw Robert take fifth place. Ten World Championship points were a record for the BMW Sauber F1 Team. Nick had clocked the third-fastest lap in qualifying and, helped by a penalty handed to Fernando Alonso, even managed to move up into second place in the front row of the grid alongside Alonso's McLaren colleague Lewis Hamilton. Starting from the dirty side of the track, Nick helplessly watched Kimi Räikkönen slip past him in his Ferrari. Among the leaders, the BMW Sauber F1 Team was the only one to opt for a three-stopper - and it paid off. It meant Nick found himself racing against a "ghost" for some of the time, being unable to see Alonso, but the German won out in the end. During qualifying Robert had to grapple with a software problem that was extending his shift times and ultimately put him into seventh place on the grid. But the race strategy worked out for him as well: after stealing a march on two rivals during pit stops, he crossed the line in fifth place.

 

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