Saturday: Disappointing is the word that characterizes BMW!
BMW-Sauber knows very well the fate that awaits them in the race tomorrow. While new parts will make their appearance in two weeks for the Spanish Grand Prix, the team has no illusions for tomorrow. Both drivers, Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld, were stuck in Q2, unable to keep up with the pace of a Toyota or a Brawn.
13th and 14th, so here are the positions of the two drivers on the grid. The objective isn’t even to score points but just to finish the race…
Robert Kubica – 7th and 13th:
« We already knew before the qualifying session that it would be difficult today. We are lacking overall performance. In Q2, I struggled with the tires. Moreover, our radio wasn’t working today, and this lack of communication didn’t help us adjust the tire pressure. In addition to that, two small fires broke out during refueling in the pits. Although it didn’t affect performance, it didn’t help matters. However, we must now continue to work focusing and staying calm. »
Nick Heidfeld – 10th and 14th:
« The qualifying session was quite difficult for us. There was an evident lack of pace while we await our aerodynamic update for Barcelona. We are looking forward to it as we urgently need to close the gap with our competitors who already have new parts. »
« The balance of the car between the different parts of qualifying is very contradictory. On my second run in Q2, I was faster compared to the first one, but not as fast as in Q1. It seems unlikely that we will fight for points tomorrow, but we will not give up. »
Mario Theissen – Director BMW Motorsport:
« The qualifications were as difficult as expected after trying to fill the gaps from free practice. One and a half seconds between the first and the last means that every weakness transforms into a loss of positions on the grid. Both our drivers complained in Q2 about the balance of the car and were not able to fight for the top 10. »
