The car is most definitely better than last year's - Heidfeld

Just a month has passed since the launch of the BMW Sauber F1.08, and in that time the BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers have covered several thousand kilometres at the wheel of the 2008 Formula One season challenger. Nick comes to a positive interim conclusion.

Pre-season preparations for the BMW Sauber F1 Team have reached half-time. One month has passed since the presentation of the F1.08 - and there is a month to go before the 2008 season kicks off in Melbourne.

Having completed countless laps of testing in the new car, Nick Heidfeld knows it really well - and has positive news, regarding the BMW Sauber F1 Team's new single-seater. "The car is most definitely better than last year's," he says. "You just have to take a look at the lap times to realise this. At the latest test, I said the old car was better balanced - but you shouldn't forget that we had an entire year to find this balance. Since then, we've had time to improve the new car's balance too, and it is also equipped with new components."

However, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has to improve by some fractions of a second to set the best possible lap times. "Currently, we are trying different setup options," Nick reveals. "But it's not unusual to focus on the balance before making the next steps. As I see it, we are moving within the normal window here at Jerez."

According to Nick, finding the optimum balance doesn't represent a major challenge. "It isn't more difficult than setting up the car - we simply have to fine tune the set-up work on our new challenger." After all, the appearance of the F1.08 isn't the only factor which sets it apart from its predecessor. At the same time, the team also has to adapt to the new standard ECU and the banning of the electronic driver aids. From 19th February, the BMW Sauber F1 Team will be testing at Valencia in order to continue enhancing the F1.08.