By BMW Sauber F1 Team
July 1 2007

In the 2007 French Grand Prix, Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld successfully consolidated the BMW Sauber F1 Team's position as third power on the Formula One grid. Robert finished fourth to secure five points, while Nick added another four points to the team's tally by finishing fifth. Robert and Nick delivered strong performances in the eighth race of the FIA Formula One World Championship. Robert defended his fourth position during the start and quickly opened a gap on fifth-placed Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault). Throughout the race the young Pole avoided getting involved in any incidents, never running the risk of losing his fourth place. The BMW Sauber F1 Team pit crew also contributed to Robert's success with two perfect pit stops.

Nick, however, experienced a clearly more eventful race than his team-mate. The German, who started seventh on the grid, gained a position on lap one, when Renault's Heikki Kovalainen spun off following a close encounter with Toyota's Jarno Trulli. From lap four, Nick was involved in an enthralling battle with Fernando Alonso (McLaren). The Spaniard had been tenth on the grid and quickly passed Nico Rosberg (Williams), but Nick turned out to be a harder nut to crack for the reigning World Champion. Again and again, The Spaniard tried to pass the BMW Sauber F1 Team driver but Nick fended off every assault until Alonso pitted for the first time on lap 16.

Afterwards, things seemed to run easier for Nick, but when he rejoined the race following his first pit stop on lap 23, he did so right ahead of the Spaniard - and the battle continued. For a further eleven laps Nick succeeded in keeping Alonso behind him - until lap 34, when the McLaren driver left him no room and passed as Nick had to go off-track. "That was a tough move, but it was fair racing," said Nick.

In the end, however, it was Nick who got the upper hand. The 30-year-old made his second stop on lap 48, and used the following laps not only to open a gap to Alonso but also to Fisichella. He rejoined the race action ahead of both of them, and continued in fifth position until the chequered flag.

Consequently, with the nine points scored at Magny-Cours, the Munich and Hinwil based squad has consolidated its third position in the Constructors' Championship and extended its lead over Renault. Robert gained one place in the Drivers' Championship and is now ranked sixth, while Nick lies in fifth position.