By BMW Sauber F1
July 13 2009
The BMW Sauber Formula One Team didn’t score any points at its home Grand Prix after Nick Heidfeld crossed the finish line in tenth position at the Nürburgring and team mate Robert Kubica finished 14th. BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen looks back on yesterday's race.
"It goes without saying that we had hoped for a very different result
from our home race at the Nürburgring. Compared to the previous race at
Silverstone, tenth and fourteenth places for Nick and Robert were a
slight improvement, but we cannot allow that to be our approach.
"At the midway point of the season, one thing is certain: the BMW Sauber F1.09 is simply not quick enough. We fell behind at the start of the season when
the double diffuser was legalised. Since then we have been playing
catch up with regard to aerodynamic downforce. We are also experiencing
another shortcoming when it comes to tapping the full potential of the
tyres, particularly in low temperatures during practice, as was
recently the case at Silverstone and the Nürburgring. The field then
records lap times within just 1.5 seconds of each other, which means
you can end up slipping a long way down the grid.
"The drivers bare no blame here. If we could provide them with a car,
with which they could compete at the front of the field, then they
would be doing just that again. They have proven this often enough in
the past. Both Nick and Robert have handled the situation in a very
professional manner. They are working intensively together with the
engineers, discussing ways of solving the problems and, like everyone
else in the team, are striving to finally get the team back to the top
of the sport.
"The technicians in Munich and Hinwil face the greatest challenge. In
previous years our teams in Germany and Switzerland showed that they
can also perform under pressure. After all, we showed continuous
improvement over the three years since the team was formed, and
achieved all our goals. Unfortunately, it is not possible to be
permanently on the up in sport. Every so often everyone has to suffer a
setback. The important thing is to stay calm, consistently analyse any
errors, and implement any necessary measures. This process is ongoing.
I am convinced that we can work together to alter this course, and get
back among the teams at the top.
"Of course, work has already started on developing the F1.10, as is
usual at this time of the year. This is running parallel to the further
development of the current car. However, we are also working at full
speed on the F1.09. Because there have only been minor changes to the
aerodynamics regulations for 2010, we can take the knowledge we are
gaining now and use it on the F1.10. That is our primary task for the
second half of the season."
Quote:Bogs
Jamie.........Mario had nothing to do with it???
You have got to be kidding! In the press release they mentioned that the poor performance had something to do with this decision. Mario is the leader of the team and ultimately responsible for performance.
Quote:Bogs
Jamie,
Sorry, but they did not accomplish goals in year 3. The goal was to win on merit. Sorry, but the win in Canada was not a win on merit. It was a win on a Hamilton brain fart that took out the top 2 contenders and on a safety car. What they did on merit that season is quit when they had a chance (even though it was not a great chance) to challenge for the championship. They @#$%& that chance away for the opportunity to battle for last place this year.
They failed last years goal, could not develop the car into the season last year, made no adjustments internally despite failing to meet the true goals, and fell flat on their face this year with blunder after blunder. Remeber, we were ahead of Mclaren at the beginning of the season. This week Mclaren won on merit, while we sucked on merit.
Quote:Bogs
Mario is not to blame???
Quote:allanjelly
He didn't do anything or at least not enough to change it (including changes to people responsible for design).
