BMW Sauber F1 Team - Malaysian Grand Prix - Race
Weather: dry and sunny, 33-34°C Air, 51-55°C Track
The BMW Sauber F1 Team had mixed fortunes in the Malaysian
Grand Prix with a strong performance from Nick Heidfeld putting
him fourth for the second consecutive race. However, problems
from the starting lights beset Robert Kubica who finished
18th.
Nick Heidfeld: 4th
BMW Sauber F1.07-05/BMW P86/7
Fastest Lap: 1.37.417 min on lap 37 (5th fastest overall)
"I'm very happy, this is a fantastic experience! To beat
one of the Ferraris might not happen again so soon. In the
early part of the weekend Felipe was so superior. After we
had major problems with the balance of the car in practice,
everything was fine in the race. The handling was good and
we had no technical problems whatsoever, and I felt fine despite
the heat. In the first corner, Robert touched me. He apologized
- this can happen. Luckily my car was not damaged. I was able
to pass Felipe when he went wide, and I was surprised I could
keep him behind me quite easily and that he pitted earlier
than me. During my last stint I was using the harder tyres,
and this also worked well. My top speed was good which made
it difficult for Felipe to attack. It's a great and, also,
a little unexpected result. But we should keep our feet on
the ground. We have to keep on working in order to avoid some
of the mistakes which we are still making."
Robert Kubica: 18th
BMW Sauber F1.07-04/BMW P86/7
Fastest Lap: 1.38.874 min on lap 19 (17th fastest overall)
"I had a big problem, in fact, everything happened in
my race today from the gearbox, to a puncture at the beginning
of the race. The pace was really slow and it is better to
forget this race quickly. However, we have shown when the
car is working we are quick. For me in these two races the
car was not working, so this is disappointing as the pace
in testing was really good. In qualifying the pace was good,
then in the race nothing worked. My main problem was braking
stability, it was impossible to stop the car and I crossed
the line at the end with many mistakes, I was locking, going
straight and had oversteer. Also during the race we had not
communication by radio."
Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
"This was again a very strong performance. Nick had a
trouble free race in which he moved from fifth on the grid
to fourth, settled himself there and scored five points for
us. With this we have managed to put ourselves among the top
teams and confirmed our good performance at the home Grand
Prix of Petronas. Robert, meanwhile, had bad luck. He damaged
the aerodynamics of his car in the first corner crush and
afterwards the car was difficult to drive. We have strengthened
our third position in the Constructors' Championship and are
looking forward to race number three in Bahrain next weekend."
Willy Rampf (Technical Director):
"Both drivers made good starts. Robert managed to overtake
Nico Rosberg, but then our two drivers made contact in the
first corner. Robert's lap times got worse and worse, therefore,
we decided to bring him into the pits. However, because we
had no radio communication with him, we didn't know what his
problem was. We changed tyres and sent him out again. We then
realised that the front wing was slightly damaged, so brought
him in again and changed the nose. Obviously, his race was
ruined. Nick drove an excellent race and he was ready to take
an advantage when Felipe Massa went wide. Nick drove a quick
and consistent race, and also benefited from the strategy
with two long stints. Compliments for a very good performance!"
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