Australian Grand Prix – Practice,
Weather: dry and windy, 32-37°C Air, 35-48°C Track
Unusual heat, strong winds and consequently a high amount
of dust in Melbourne’s Albert Park welcomed Formula
One for the curtain raiser of the 2008 season. BMW Sauber
F1 Team driver Robert Kubica enjoyed two trouble-free practice
sessions. Nick Heidfeld’s car stopped with 30 minutes
to go in the first session due to an electrical power cut,
in the afternoon he completed his programme as scheduled.
Robert Kubica: BMW Sauber F1.08-03 / BMW
P86/8 1st Practice : 7th, 1.28.579 min / 2nd Practice: 15th,
1.28.860 min “As well as working on the set-up of the
car, we concentrated mainly on comparing the two tyre compounds.
Degradation is quite a big issue in these hot conditions.
We have to analyse the data and find out how best to exploit
the full potential of the tyres.”
Nick Heidfeld: BMW Sauber F1.08-04 / BMW
P86/8 1st Practice : 16th, 1.29.561 min / 2nd Practice: 12th,
1.28.731 min “I still find it very difficult to make
a judgement on everybody's performance. I'm afraid we have
to be patient until tomorrow, at least until the second part
of qualifying. I assume some of the cars which are higher
up on the result sheet were lighter than us. I had no technical
problems in the second session, and the failure in the morning
just cost one run which isn't a drama."
Willy Rampf (Technical Director): “We
are happy that the 2008 season has finally started here in
Melbourne. We concentrated on the race preparations in both
sessions and completed our programme including the tyre comparisons.
Apart from one problem on an electronic switch in the first
free practice, everything went according to plan. I think
we are in good shape for tomorrow
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