By BMW Sauber F1 Team
September 29 2006

Once again, the BMW Sauber F1 Team experienced an absolutely trouble-free practice session, with no technical glitches or driving mistakes. As is normal in the Friday sessions, Sebastian was the busiest and quickest of the team's drivers. Rain showers hit the circuit over the course of the session. However, the conditions did not hamper the team's progress.

While continuing tyre evaluations and set-up work, Sebastian completed five stints totalling 23 laps, setting a personal fastest lap time of 1:35.579 minutes and finishing second behind Williams test driver Alexander Wurz (1:35.539 minutes). These two drivers turned out to be the headliners in the closing stages.

50 minutes into the session, Sebastian went out for his fourth stint and took the lead with a 1:36.491-minute lap. However, a short time later his lead was stolen by Wurz. However, Sebastian wasn't ready to give in, went out for another stint with just four minutes remaining and improved by nearly a second to re-gain the lead. But yet again, Wurz went out a little later and succeeded in turning the tables.

Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica, the BMW Sauber F1 Team GP regulars, also contributed to the preparations for the remainder of the weekend but did without setting fast lap times. Nick completed two stints totalling eleven laps and posted a personal fastest lap time of 1:38.062 minutes to finish 15th, while Robert had to settle for a 1:39.217-minute lap and 22nd position.

In the third free practice session, held on Saturday from 11:00hrs local time (04:00hrs BST), Nick and Robert will continue the team's preparations for the qualifying session and the race.