By BMW Sauber F1 Team
October 8 2006

A decisive race in the Championship, as Alonso recovered the lead after Schumacher had to retire due to mechanical problems. Meanwhile our drivers could only manage to take a valuable point, keeping the Team in front of Toyota at the WCC.

Nick Heidfeld finished eighth in the Japanese Grand Prix, thus scoring a valuable World Championship point for the BMW Sauber F1 Team. His team-mate, Robert Kubica, crossed the line directly behind the German to finish ninth. Fernando Alonso won with Michael Schumacher having to retire.

It was a tough but successful race for the BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers. From their ninth and twelfth grid positions both succeeded in gaining a position at the start by passing Rubens Barrichello (Nick) and Nico Rosberg (Robert), respectively, while Robert moved up to tenth position when Rubens Barrichello was forced to pit because of a damaged wing.

Subsequently, however, it proved impossible for them to make further progress. Once again, the BMW Sauber F1 Team opted for its recently successful strategy in starting the race with a rather heavy fuel load in order to offer its drivers the chance of pitting late and gaining some positions.

However, unlike the previous races, this strategy didn't help Nick and Robert to pass their rivals. After the first set of pit stops, Nick dropped back to ninth position, behind McLaren's Kimi Räikkönen, with Robert following closely behind, in tenth.

On lap 33, Robert experienced an off-track moment in the Degner bend but fortunately he was able to continue without losing a position. On laps 38 and 39, Nick and Robert made their second stops, and as Michael Schumacher retired at this point, due to an engine failure, they rejoined in eighth and ninth respectively.

In the closing stages of the race, the BMW Sauber F1 Team pairing was involved in a thrilling battle for the final point, but at the end of the day Nick succeeded in fending off his team-mate and finished eighth, thus adding another valuable point to the BMW Sauber F1 Team's tally, and helping it to defend its fifth position in the Constructors' Championship. Robert finished ninth and had to leave the 'Suzuka International Racing Course' empty-handed.

The race blow by blow:

Race update: the start.
The Japanese GP is on. At the start, both Nick and Robert gained one position - and Robert another when Honda's Rubens Barrichello had to pit due to a damaged front wing. Nick holds eighth position, Robert is tenth. The current leader: Michael Schumacher.

Race update: 11 laps completed.
Both BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers deliver a solid race and succeed in defending their positions at the 'Suzuka International Racing Course'. Heidfeld is eighth, Kubica tenth. Michael Schumacher holds the lead.

Race update: 22 laps completed.
Both BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers have made their first pit stops. Nick holds ninth place, Robert follows in tenth position. Michael Schumacher still holds the lead.

Race update: 39 laps completed.
Both Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica have pitted for the second time. Following the retirement of Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, they rejoined in eighth and ninth respectively. Reigning World Champion Fernando Alonso (Renault) is the new leader, at Suzuka.

Race update: the finish.
The BMW Sauber F1 Team scored one point in the Japanese Grand Prix. Nick finished eighth, with Robert crossing the line directly behind him, in ninth position. Renault's Fernando Alonso prevailed at Suzuka, the runner-up position was secured by Ferrari's Felipe Massa.