No problems in session one for BMW

As was the case last week at the Nürburgring, BMW Sauber F1 Team test driver Robert Kubica was the team's only driver to complete timed laps in the first free practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix.

The session began in slightly wet conditions, therefore, the drivers waited nearly half an hour before going out to seriously start their preparations for the remainder of the weekend. While focusing on tyre evaluation tests and set-up work, Robert completed 20 laps of the 4,627km 'Circuit de Catalunya', in three stints, setting competitive lap times in each stint.

The young Pole experienced no problems whatsoever and held the lead for the major part of the session. Only in the last five minutes was he edged out of the lead, with his personal fastest lap time of 1:16:628 minutes being good enough to finish fourth.

The BMW Sauber F1 Team Grand Prix regulars, however, once again did without setting timed laps, with Nick Heidfeld completing one installation lap and Jacques Villeneuve two.

The Canadian will receive a ten-position grid penalty as his engine was changed prior to the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. "Something went wrong during the loading of the engine for transportation to Spain," explained BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. "Therefore, we opted to go the safe way and equipped Jacques' car with a new engine."

The fastest laps of the session were set by the Ferrari pairing, with Felipe Massa (1:15:796) securing the top position on the time sheets and Michael Schumacher (1:16:099) finishing second.