Heidfeld hoping for further improvements

Following the tests at Paul Ricard and Barcelona, the BMW Sauber F1 Team is well prepared for the season's fourth Grand Prix weekend. Nick Heidfeld talks about innovations on the BMW Sauber F1.06 and Imola's 'Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari'.

In the past weeks, the BMW Sauber F1 Team worked flat-out to keep enhancing its BMW Sauber F1.06. The 2006 season's first GP on European soil, held this weekend at Imola, will see almost all the teams with new aero packages. "We're no different and have tweaked one or two elements of the car's aerodynamics since the last race," says Nick Heidfeld. "I'm not expecting these changes to shake up the field completely, but they might just result in a readjustment in the balance of power."

The 4,933 kilometre circuit is the fist on the 2006 calendar to be lapped anti-clockwise. To cope with this special strain for their neck muscles, the drivers had to execute a special preparation prior to the San Marino Grand Prix. At the same time, the curbs of the 'Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari' also represent a key factor. "As far as the track itself is concerned, two things in particular stand out," reveals Nick. "Firstly, that we drive very hard over the curbs and need a car that can deal with that kind of treatment. Second, Imola is very tough on the brakes, almost as tough as Canada. That makes efficient brake cooling very important."

In spite of the challenges represented by the circuit, Nick looks forward to the 62-lap race in Italy. "I really hope we can build on the progress we've made so far this season, at Imola."