Heidfeld looks towards the future optimistically

The aim of the BMW Sauber F1 Team for the San Marino Grand Prix had been to collect further F1 World Championship points. In the end, Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve were forced to settle for midfield positions. Nick, however, remains optimistic for the future.

Traditionally, nearly all teams entered the race in Imola, the first Formula One race of the season in Europe, with vastly modified cars. And the BMW Sauber F1.06 made no exception, introducing a new front wing and a modified rear. Prior to the race at the 'Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari', Nick explained: "The innovations proved positive during the tests in Barcelona. But of course it all strongly depends on what the other teams do."

The competition was evidently able to improve in terms of overall performance as well, as seen in the qualifying session, which had already been closer than on most race weekends. During the second qualifying phase, Jacques, who managed to secure 12th position, had only been 0.169 seconds slower than 5th-placed driver Mark Webber. The fact that they were unable to grab a top ten grid position proved to be a crucial disadvantage to the BMW Sabuer F1 Team drivers during the race. Since the track in Imola hardly offers any possibilities to overtake, the drivers had no realistic chance of decisively improving their race positions.

"Now I'm looking forward to our home match at the Nurburgring," says Nick Heidfeld. "I have always performed well there, and in 2005 I was able to win my first pole position. I hope we can gather more valuable information during the tests in Silverstone and that we can continue to move forward."