By BMW Sauber F1 Team
February 17 2007

Today was the last test in Europe before the season starts, and once again BMW-Sauber showed a good pace in Barcelona. Despite a windy day, it the drivers were able to complete most of their programme, and set competitive times. With Heidfeld finishing 2nd, just 0,1 seconds behind Coulthard.

Conditions were once again dry and warm at the Spanish race track, which will also host the 2007 Spanish Grand Prix. David Coulthard (Red Bull Racing, 1:21.856 minutes) topped the time sheets.

Nick had a productive day at the wheel of the BMW Sauber F1.07. After completing 100 laps of the 4.727-kilometre track, he was just a tenth of a second slower than Coulthard (1:21.965 minutes), setting his personal best time on lap 16. Sebastian completed 53 laps (245 kilometres), posting a fastest lap time of 1:23.571 minutes.

Nick started the morning with an aero test doing back to back checks. However, the team cut this short due to a strong wind and then concentrated on cooling. For Sebastian the day was not so productive as a couple of off track excursions along with technical problems meant he was not able to do as much testing as the team had hoped. However, like Nick he was able to do some aero testing before the wind got up.

Before the first race in Australia the team will test in Bahrain on 22/23/24 February and then on the 27/28 February/1 March. Nick Heidfeld, Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel will be driving in Bahrain. The team is looking forward to this as it will be able to see how the car acts in hot weather conditions.