Summary – Saturday – BMW is not where it hoped to be

The BMW Sauber team stands out as one of the best teams in its past two seasons. In this regard, it must showcase the best at each qualifying session, which wasn’t possible today due to several factors.

Kubica did not have the right setup on his F1.08 car, thinking that rain would affect the qualifications, while Nick Heidfeld, on his part, was hindered during his last flying lap in the final seconds of Q3. He reportedly lost more than a tenth in the process, which was necessary to qualify in 4th position.

The team has therefore filed an appeal with the FIA.

Robert Kubica – 17th and 4th (qualified 6th):

« I am very satisfied with the performance achieved today, I wouldn’t have needed much to reach the second row… »

« The weather, which was uncertain, added some spice to this qualifying session, but with the setup we had chosen, I knew that qualifying among the best wouldn’t be easy. However, just like last weekend, we took a lot of time to prepare for the race. So I’m optimistic for the race tomorrow. »

Nick Heidfeld – 1st and 5th (qualified 7th):

« I am very disappointed with the way Q3 ended. My first sector on my last flying lap went very well, but then I had to overtake cars that were pitting very slowly. Apparently, there was no information that the session wasn’t over… Before having these issues, I was in virtual 4th position on the grid… instead of seventh place. Of course, I was hindered, but I was satisfied with the behavior of the F1.08 today. »

Mario Theissen – BMW Motorsport Director:

« Ferrari was on another level today. Apart from them, it was much closer behind. From third to seventh position, there’s only a 0.15-second gap. We weren’t lucky to be at the bottom of the leading group, but anything is possible: tomorrow, the weather will indeed play a crucial role. »

Willy Rampf – Technical Director:

« We can demonstrate the consistency of our team and our performances thanks to this good result. We have indeed become the only team to have placed both its drivers in the top 10 for 20 Grand Prix… since the end of 2006. »

« However, we were unlucky in the final part of the qualifying with the cars on the track during Nick [Heidfeld]’s last lap. »