BMW Sauber F1 Team - British GP - Practice
Weather: sunny and dry, 27-29°C air, 44-47°C track
Silverstone (GBR). With its reserve and test driver, Robert
Kubica, setting the fastest time of the day in glorious sunshine,
the BMW Sauber F1 Team had a very positive first practice
day at Silverstone. On top of that both Jacques Villeneuve
and Nick Heidfeld had two trouble free practice sessions.
Celebrating the fact Jacques married his fiancée, Johanna,
last week for today only the rear wing of his car displayed
the words ’Just Married’.
Robert Kubica:
BMW Sauber F1.06-03BMW P86
1st Practice: 3rd, 1:22.365s / 2nd Practice: 1st, 1:21.082s
It was a good Friday and we have done a lot of tyre testing.
I think our performance after the Barcelona test last week
looked pretty okay. We saw there we were quite strong on long
runs and today has confirmed this. The tyre choice will not
be easy, but we have a lot of data. We are now going to analyse
it, but the track conditions are very different now to when
we were here a month ago. It was not really quick today, so
we have to take into consideration that the grip will improve
and decide on the best tyres.
Jacques Villeneuve:
BMW Sauber F1.06-08/BMW P86
1st Practice: No time / 2nd Practice: 18th, 1:23.750s
On the first run the first two laps were quite quick on what
is normally a very slow beginning to a race weekend, so it
is promising. Then I think we destroyed the rear tyres, so
we need to work on the set up. Despite this I think we will
be all right.
Nick Heidfeld:
BMW Sauber F1.06-04/BMW P86
1st Practice: No time / 2nd Practice: 20th, 1:23.895s
Driving here on the Silverstone circuit is always fun. We
have had a trouble free practice so far, and now we will work
on improving the balance of the car as it is a little nervous
at the rear.
Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
It was a positive first day of practice. Robert did not only
complete a very large programme, but he also achieved excellent
results. I am not only referring to his best time of the day,
but also his contribution to the tyre choice and the set-up
of the car. I believe this information will form a good basis
for our preparation for qualifying and the race.
Willy Rampf (Technical Director Chassis):
It was a totally trouble free Friday. Jacques and Nick were
working on the race set up, and this was based on data we
recorded at our test here in April. Robert concentrated on
the tyre evaluation and completed long runs. He did a very
good job which will help us a lot.
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