By BMW Sauber F1 Team
October 17 2008

In the second practice session for the Chinese Grand Prix, Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica both completed impressive preparation programmes. Ultimately, Nick finished ninth and Robert eleventh. As in the morning session, the second practice session for the Chinese Grand Prix was held in perfect conditions, with the temperatures reaching 25° C, slightly higher than in the morning. The BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers used the ideal conditions to complete an extensive preparation programme, comprising both long and short runs. This time, however, Nick proved to be the slightly quicker and busier driver of the pairing.

While focusing on set-up work and tyre evaluations, the German completed a total of 38 laps and on his 33rd he set his personal best time of 1:36.553 minutes. With this lap, Nick temporarily took fourth position on the time sheets, but as other drivers went out they set faster lap times on ever-improving track, and in the end Nick finished ninth.

Robert did one lap less than his team-mate but unlike Nick, he set his personal fastest lap time of 1:36.775 minutes in the first half of the session, on a clearly greener track. Consequently, this time wasn't good enough for securing a top-ten position on the time sheets and the Pole had to settle for 12th.

In tomorrow's third free practice session, held from 11:00 to 12:00hrs local time (04:00 to 05:00hrs BST), the BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers will complete their preparations for the remainder of the weekend.