Robert Kubica: "As expected the track is quite demanding - not only for
the driver but also for the car. You are always going round corners and
the surface is very bumpy, especially in two or three places. It is
very important to have a stable car here as you can easily lose a lot
of time in several corners. On the first lap I got used to the track
and, as I was going at a good pace immediately, we were then able to
start working on the set-up. In the second session we did the tyre
comparison. Now we have to analyse the data and see what we have to
change for tomorrow."
Nick Heidfeld: "Overall I had a good first practice day here, although
my fastest lap from the second session doesn't give that impression.
The track is a lot of fun. It is much more of a street circuit than the
new track in Valencia and is more challenging. Here it's significantly
narrower. When I walked the track on Wednesday night the straights
appeared relatively long, but that's not the case when you fly along at
F1 speed. I found it easy to get used to the light. After one or two
laps you forget it is artificial, although the brightness isn't exactly
the same everywhere. Bumps are an issue, and there are plenty! I have
no problem adapting to the rhythm and turning night into day. I just
stay awake long enough and then sleep until lunchtime so I can be fit
in the late evenings."
Willy Rampf (Technical Director): "This was a good start to what will
become the most exceptional race weekend of the year. The atmosphere is
fantastic, the style of the place is unique. Both drivers needed a few
laps to familiarise themselves with the new circuit, and then, as
usual, we were concentrating on race preparation. We have been doing
some set up changes and will be analysing all the data tonight."
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