Australian GP – Ferrari and McLaren on the attack for BMW

Who could have imagined a year ago that BMW would finish the 2007 season as the second force? Certainly, the team benefited from McLaren’s exclusion from the constructors’ championship, but still…

With drivers remaining unchanged, the German team is best positioned to be considered an outsider, even though preseason testing ultimately proved mixed.

The F1.08 has, therefore, probably not revealed all its secrets! Maybe some will be unveiled in Melbourne on Sunday…

Nick Heidfeld – racing driver

I’m really looking forward to the curtain rising in Australia. This pre-season, I found it particularly difficult to assess the level of competitiveness of the teams.

« We have made real progress throughout this winter and up until the final test in Barcelona. But no team really knows where they stand. Autumn in Australia sometimes means rain, which would allow us to drive without traction control and in wet conditions for the first time. »

Robert Kubica – racing driver

« In Australia, all the rumors will finally come to an end. I am looking forward to being in my single-seater and racing again. The whole team has worked tirelessly over the past few weeks. The F1.08 has consistently improved and I believe there is even more potential hidden in it. »

I love the Melbourne circuit. This year, there is no more traction control to help you if you’re on the dirty side of the track.

This will cost precious tenths of a second because you will have to release the accelerator to correct it yourself. And then there’s the fabulous atmosphere in Melbourne with the fans and a fantastic city. All of this gives a particular charm to this start of the season.

Mario Theissen – Director of BMW Motorsport

We are happy that Australia is kicking off the 2008 season. There is always a very special atmosphere in Melbourne. The setting and also the spectators, who are all in love with Formula 1. Everyone is eagerly awaiting this first showdown.

« Last year, it turned out that we achieved our best qualifying result of the season right here at Albert Park. Nick had secured third place, Robert fifth. The first race of the year is always considered the moment of truth. It’s precisely at this moment that we see where each team stands. »

The reliability of the new car has been very good since the beginning of pre-season testing. We also learned that a single-seater with high potential is more difficult to master at the start than a more ‘normal’ car that reaches its limits much more quickly.

« Our objective for 2008 remains unchanged: this year, we want to close the gap with the front teams and win our first race. »

Willy Rampf – Technical Director

Naturally, we are all eager to know where all the teams stand. They will be able to play their cards openly during the qualifying on Saturday.

« With anti-skid now banned, drivers will be under pressure during braking, as well as during cornering accelerations. They will have to press more sensitively on the accelerator! »