Pulling out all the stops to defend Kubica's lead - Rampf

Following Robert Kubica's victory in Canada, the BMW Sauber F1 Team travels to France in high spirits. The team from Munich and Hinwil will be looking to defend its WC lead there, says the team's technical director, Willy Rampf.

Going into the French Grand Prix, the BMW Sauber F1 Team lies in second place in the Constructors' Championship - with Robert out in front in the Drivers' Championship. And the team wants to be in the same positions after the race: "Our one-two in Canada gave a huge motivation boost to the whole team, of course," says Willy Rampf, technical director of the BMW Sauber F1 Team. He promises: "We will be pulling out all the stops to defend Robert's lead in the World Championship standings."

A challenging course awaits the team's two drivers. "The Circuit de Nevers offers an interesting mixture of slow sections, which demand a high level of grip, and fast S-shaped sectors, in which good car stability plays a significant role," explains Rampf. "The track has an extremely flat surface, which the teams take into account with car set-up - the cars run low ground clearance here. At the same time, it is important that the drivers can also be aggressive through the chicane before the start/finish straight, where the kerbs are very high."

But Rampf also expects there to be exciting tussles on other areas of the track: "The Adelaide hairpin at the end of the long straight is the perfect place for overtaking, as the circuit is very wide here and there is a generous run-off area."