By BMW Sauber F1
August 10 2006

In June 2005, the creation of the BMW Sauber F1 Team was decided and announced. Only 13 Grands Prix later, the young team is able to celebrate its first major success: Nick Heidfeld was able to finish on the podium in Budapest.

A year filled with hard work lies behind the BMW Sauber F1 Team. In the months following the presentation of the project on 22nd June 2005, the biggest challenge was the integration of the two sites in Munich and in Hinwil. The number of staff was increased and, at the same time, a central project management was established. At the Bahrain Grand Prix, Nick and his team-mate Jacques Villeneuve finally entered the first race for the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

Only two Grands Prix later, at the Australian GP, Nick came close to a podium position and managed to collect five valuable World Championship points, crossing the finish line in fourth position. Over the course of the season, the drivers were able to further increase the team's point tally.

At the Hungaroring, Nick succeeded in claiming a podium finish. Despite constantly changing conditions, he kept his cool and did no mistakes in a chaotic race. Supported by an excellent pit crew performance, the German was able to work his way up form tenth place on the grid. Three laps before the end of the race, Nick finally passed Michael Schumacher and secured his first podium finish of the season.