BMW Sauber F1 Team - British GP - Race
Weather: sunny and dry, 26-28°C air, 41-47°C track
Silverstone (GBR). For the second time in its first season,
the BMW Sauber F1 Team has both its cars in the points. At
Silverstone Nick Heidfeld was seventh and Jacques Villeneuve
eighth.
Nick Heidfeld: 7th
BMW Sauber F1.06-06/BMW P86
Fastest Lap: 1:22.706 min on lap 43 (6th fastest overall)
I had a very good start when I passed two cars off the grid
and a third into the first corner. Naturally it is great that
both cars finished in the points on their own merits. We have
obviously made a step forward. I was able to keep in front
of Montoya as I stayed out longer than he did. It was only
at the beginning that he was faster than me because I was
fighting understeer. Then the balance of my car was improved.
Unfortunately at the first pit stop first gear didn’t
work and that cost me time and a position.
Jacques Villeneuve: 8th
BMW Sauber F1.06-08/BMW P86
Fastest Lap: 1:22.921 min on lap 46 (10th fastest overall)
Nico Rosberg got me because at the start into turn one Juan
Pablo Montoya and myself crashed in what was a racing incident.
I was on the inside and he was following another car on the
outside. He came across the track, took his line but couldn’t
see I was there. I locked my wheels and ran into him, but
luckily there was no damage. I was stuck behind Nico for three
quarters of the race, which was a shame but he wasn’t
making any mistakes. It was a good fight, but when I saw him
come into the pits three laps before me for the last pit stop
I really took some big risks on those laps on old tyres. To
get two cars in the points today, not because people didn’t
finish the race, but because we raced strongly is good for
Montreal. People told me married men go slower, but I think
it is the opposite!
Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
We are very happy because it was a completely trouble free
weekend for us. This is the first time since Australia both
drivers have scored points and the fourth consecutive race
we have been in the points. Nick made an excellent start which
catapulted him by three drivers. Unfortunately there was a
problem during his first pit stop which cost him a place.
Jacques’ pit crew did an excellent job at his second
stop, which gained him a position. Now we are travelling with
a lot of confidence to North America and are full of motivation
for the remainder of the season.
Willy Rampf (Technical Director Chassis):
This was a sunny day in every way. We had both cars in the
points after a race which all the top teams finished. Nick
made a very good start and kept sixth for a long time, but
during his first pit stop lost time and one place to Juan
Pablo Montoya due to a gear shift problem, which we need to
analyse. At the start Jacques thought he had damaged his car,
which caused some anxiety in the garage. He drove a strong
race fighting Rosberg, and thanks to a very good team effort
at his second pit stop managed to get in front of him.
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