BMW's Kubica fastest

At 11:00hrs local time (08:00hrs, GMT), the first free practice session of the 2006 Formula One season, went underway at the 'Bahrain International Circuit', with Nick Heidfeld, Jacques Villeneuve and Robert Kubica completing the first laps for the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

An impressive field of 28 cars and drivers used the 60-minute session at the 5.412 kilometre long circuit to prepare for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Robert Kubica, the official BMW Sauber F1 Team test driver, turned out to be both the busiest and the quickest man of the session. The Pole completed five stints, covered a total of 20 laps, and with his fastest lap time, a 1:32:170, he also secured the top position on the time sheets.

As BMW Sauber F1 Team Friday test driver, Robert has seven sets of tyres at his disposal. In his first appearance at a Formula One GP weekend, he made perfect use of his tyres and gained a lot of valuable data for the team's GP regulars, Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve. The 21-year old tested several tyre compounds and worked on the set-up of the BMW Sauber F1.06.

With eight more minutes to go, Nick also went out for a shake-down lap to check the systems of his BMW Sauber F1.06, and two minutes later Jacques did the same. The two drivers, however, did not complete a timed lap.

In the second free practice session Robert, Nick and Jaques will continue their preparations for the first Grand Prix of the 2006 season.