Important test session for BMW comes to an end

Today the team’s new test driver Christian Klien drove the BMW Sauber F1.08 for the first time familiarizing himself with the car and working procedures of the team. In the morning Klien completed 32 laps in damp conditions, he also did several practice starts and pitstops.

When the sun finally came out in the afternoon regular drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld took over again for the third day of testing in Valencia. Both continued to work on the set-up of the car. Covering 798 kms (197 laps) and 870 kms (217 laps) in total Kubica and Heidfeld further improved the set-up of the new F1.08 car.

BMW Sauber F1 Team Technical Director Willy Rampf said: “Apart from Thursday afternoon weather conditions were far from perfect during the three days. This made work difficult for the engineers. Nevertheless, this was an important and positive test for the team. We were able to complete a race simulation with both cars including pitstops without any problems. This underlines the high level of reliability of the new car. In addition we tested some newly developed parts. We will do more set-up work with the F1.08 next week during the final pre-season test in Barcelona.”

What comes next:
BMW Sauber F1 Team will test again in Barcelona from February 25th to 27th.

Robert Kubica
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08-03 / BMW P86/8
Test kilometres today: 281 km (70 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:12.293 min

Nick Heidfeld
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08-02 / BMW P86/8
Test kilometres today: 237 km (59 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:12.258 min

Christian Klien
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08-02 / BMW P86/8
Test kilometres today: 129 km (32 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:23.857 min (on wet tyres on wet track)