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Brazil Review: Rainy thriller to end season
By BMW Sauber F1 Team
January 6 2009
Although the season ended with a disappointing result for the BMW Sauber F1 Team in Brazil, this could not take the shine off a successful 2008. In a nerve-wracking race in Sao Paolo, the team from Munich and Hinwil left empty-handed after picking up points at each of the previous 34 races.
"As last year, it was a dramatic final," said BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen, after the final race of the 2008 Formula One season. The German was just as caught up in the thrilling World Championship decider as the fans at the "Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace". A sudden downpour surprised the teams as early as the formation lap just before the start of the race. The rain returned shortly before the end of the race, causing another shake-up of the race order. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) crossed the line back in fifth place, but was still able to celebrate his first title. Victory in front of his home crowd was not enough for the runner-up in the World Championship, Felipe Massa (Ferrari).

The rain made the race track in Sao Paolo extremely difficult to analyse. Following the heavy shower at the start of the race, Robert took a risk and decided to drive the warm-up lap on dry tyres. However, the 23-year-old returned to the pit lane before the start of the race to switch to intermediates. "We had the wrong information about the track conditions," explained Robert, who saw his chances of another good result slip away before the race was even underway. "From here there was nothing he could do," confirmed Willy Rampf, Technical Director of the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

Nick started the race on wet tyres, but also dropped back four places at the start. "I just had too much wheel spin, so I literally stuck on the spot," said the 31-year-old, describing the start to the 71-lap Grand Prix. Nick immediately set about recovering, passing Rubens Barrichello (Honda) and Mark Webber (Red Bull) within the first eight laps. However, the poor start ultimately proved to be too much of a handicap. "I had a few good overtaking manoeuvres and gained positions. Later the balance of my car tended to become very difficult," said Nick.

Eight laps before the finish it began to rain again. The BMW Sauber F1 Team called Nick and Robert into the pits immediately to switch to intermediates. "Even pitting earlier than others at the end of the race did not change the situation," said Rampf. Massa won the race, while Nick and Robert had to settle for 10th and 11th respectively. This result meant the BMW Sauber F1 Team walked away from a weekend without points for the first time in 34 races. However, this only briefly overshadowed the joy surrounding the best season in the team's history.

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