By Jaime
January 26 2006

Today the BMW-SauberF1 team moved to 'Montmelo', near Barcelona, to continue testing the new car. The tests will continue until the 26th and the drivers present will be both Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve,while Kubica may join later. The first day, 23th january,the team conducted a test on many different areas of the car. Villeneuve was driving the new F1.06 and set the pace with a time of 1.17.230min(0.8 seconds faster than the next driver,Gary Paffet,with a MP4-20 V10), while Heidfeld drove the old C24B setting a time of 1.18.471min.

Nick drove in the morning practicing starts and getting electronic data and on the afternoon concentrated on evaluating several tyre specifications. Jacques worked on the basic set-up of the new car,and after that the engineers made some aerodynamic measurements.
The first day ran without reliabilty problems and both drivers completed more than 80 laps each one.



The second day Villeneve continued running with the f1.06 setting the second best time of the day 1'17.633min(Mark Gene made 1'16.583 with a F2004 V8) and covering a total of 92laps, while Heidfeld ran the C24B just running 23 laps and stoping the chronometer at 1'18.393min.

At the begining Nick simulated several starts to gather more data,while in the afternoon the sesion finished earlier due to gearbox problems(it is believed to be a gear selection problem,but it still has to be analised). Jacques also simulated starts and did some basic set-up work on the new car, and after he completed several long-runs,in wich he set his best times.

Tomorrow, Nick will test the BMW Sauber F1.06, while Robert Kubica will drive the interim car for the first time.


On wednesday 25th Heidfeld ran the F1.06,covering a total of 61 laps setting an encouraging best time of 1.17.046min(in 6th position,as the best time was for F.Massa). Kubica ran the old C24B completing 62laps and a time of 1.20.016min,wich isn't bad taking into account that its the first time he drives for BMW-Sauber.

Heidfeld worked on set-ups and aerodinamic evaluations,while Kubica began getting used to all systems and made minor set-up adjustments.
Incidents:Heidfeld caused two red flags.

Comments from Kubica:"Today a dream came true for me. Everything is new and exciting and im really happy to drive for the BMW-SauberF1 Team. I took it easy today, its just the beginning, and i have a lot to learn. It is fun to drive in a F1 car on the Barcelona track with its fast corners where you can really feel the G-forces"


The last day was a very productive day for BMW-Sauber,as it was the team that completed more laps at Montmelo,a total of 182.
Nick drove again the F1.06 setting the 4th best time,an impressive time 1.16.549min.
Kubica recorded 93 laps with the C24B,making a time of 1.17.992min,finishing betwen Raikonen and Pedro de la Rosa in 13th place.
Nick worked on set-ups and later carried a testing of different tire compounds.
Kubica made some practice starts,learned procedures and worked on the set up.After he completed a tire test program for Michelin.

Willy Rampf, Technical Director Chassis "Overall, the test in Barcelona was very positive for our team. The reliability of the BMW Sauber F1.06 is already on a good level, which enabled us to complete over 1500 kilometres with the new car during the four days. We could collect a lot of data and learned more about the set-up of the F1.06. In addition, I am very satisfied with the debut of Robert in our team. Over two days, he didn't make the smallest error, and he was able to improve constantly. On top of that he is also able to give valuable feedback to the engineers."

The BMW Sauber F1 Team will be testing again from February 1 to 4 in Valencia.