By BMW Sauber F1
May 12 2009

Barcelona's "Circuit de Catalunya" provided the stage for the Formula One teams to test their strengths on European soil for the first time this year. We have put together some interesting facts for you. - On the up: the BMW Sauber F1 Team was able to celebrate World Championship points for the first time since the Malaysian Grand Prix. Nick Heidfeld finished seventh to pick up two points.

- In the right direction: prior to the European curtain-raiser, Nick spent a lot of time in Hinwil following the further development of the BMW Sauber F1.09. "I am grateful to everyone in the team, who have all toiled away pretty much without a break for over the last few weeks, to ensure we were well prepared for the next races," said the 32-year-old.

- At close quarters: the gaps in the Formula One field continue to be closer now than they have been for a long time. In the second qualifying phase in Barcelona, Robert Kubica was just 0.454 seconds behind the leader Rubens Barrichello (Brawn GP). 14 cars were within one second of each other.

- Anniversary: Nick was racing in his tenth Spanish Grand Prix on his 32nd birthday. Only twice has he enjoyed a better result than this year: in 2002 he finished fourth for the Sauber team, while last year saw the German cross the line in sixth. Following two fourth places in 2007 and 2008, Robert left Barcelona empty handed for the first time, having finished back in eleventh place.

- Serial winner: Jenson Button (Brawn GP) continues to set the pace at the head of the field. The Englishman celebrated his fourth win in five races in Spain, and leads the Drivers' Championship on 41 points.

- Next big test: Robert believes the balance of power could shift again at the forthcoming race in Monaco. "In Barcelona everyone has a good set-up," he explains. "Everyone knows the circuit. Monaco will be a good test for our modified car. We will be able to see whether it has good mechanical grip there."