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Debut of the BMW Sauber F1 Team.
Quotes after the BMW Sauber F1.06 roll-out.
Munich/Valencia, 17th January 2006. At 1.20 pm today Nick
Heidfeld drove the very first lap with the BMW Sauber F1.06
at the Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo.
After this installation lap he returned to the garage for
the usual checks before continuing to clock up a total of
29 laps at this systems check.
Heidfeld said: „I have been much more nervous than
before any other roll-out I have experienced because this
is a bigger and long-term programme, and I feel so much passion
for this project. The first laps with the BMW Sauber F1.06
were absolutely troublefree, and to begin with I used intermediate
tyres as the track was still damp in places. After this first
experience I am really looking forward to the forthcoming
test days, as we continue to work further in order to find
out where we are.“
BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen explained: „The
initial roll-out is the most exciting moment of the year for
the engineers. After some nine months of development and simulation
we could finally run the car in real time for the first time
and get feedback from the driver. We are very pleased that
this first day of systems checking ran so smoothly. That’s
a good beginning. Now the car is gaining momentum and getting
faster and faster with every lap.”
Shortly after the BMW Sauber F1.06´s installation lap
it was Jacques Villeneuve´s turn to drive the interim
car (Sauber C24B/BMW P86 engine). The Canadian reported: “the
gearbox had a hiccough and stuck in first gear on my first
lap.” As a result the rear end overheated, causing the
engine cover to smoke as Villeneuve arrived back at the pits.
The electronic error was soon sorted out, and Villeneuve was
able to continue.
Heidfeld did a total of 29 laps with the BMW Sauber F1.06,
with a fastest time of 1:13.430 minutes. Villeneuve drove
50 laps to record (1:14.037 min). The BMW Sauber F1 Team continues
testing in Valencia with both cars until and including Thursday.
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