BMW-Sauber Review – First podium of the season for the team

The German team, after more than successful qualifications, was able to capitalize on the progress made throughout the winter. It is on the podium for the first time this season, just one step away from victory in the race. Main objective of the team for 2008.

Only Heidfeld therefore scores points after Kubica’s retirement due to an accident. This was caused by the young Nakajima, who will be penalized in a week in Malaysia. For now, BMW has just shown that they will have to be reckoned with this season.

Nick Heidfeld – 2nd:

« It’s a fantastic start to the season for us. The team has worked very hard to solve the problems we had initially with the F1.08. We have made constant progress and have yet to fully exploit the car’s potential at the moment. »

« With Rosberg, it was a mentally challenging race. I expected to pit earlier, but in the end, we stopped on the same lap and our team did a very good job. With my second stop, I was lucky that the safety car didn’t come out earlier. Overall, the first race without traction control was less difficult than expected. »

Robert Kubica – Retirement:

My race went quite well at the start. I was on a similar strategy to Nick and we had a good pace. Then the strategy changed and it wasn’t beneficial. I got stuck behind Bourdais and lost a lot of time.

« I still had a chance to score some points, but at the end of the third safety car intervention, Nakajima hit the back of my car and I had to stop. »

Mario Theissen – BMW Motorsport Director:

« It was a fantastic start to the season for BMW Sauber. In an eventful race, with three safety car appearances and numerous retirements, Nick was preserved and finished second, marking the team’s first podium of the season. »

« Only Lewis Hamilton was faster. It was a real game of strategy. Nick was a bit lucky with the safety car interventions, Robert was unlucky. With our performance in qualifying on Saturday, we have a good foundation for the upcoming races. A big thank you to all our collaborators in Munich and Hinwil. »

Willy Rampf – Technical Director:

« It was an exciting race with, however, mixed feelings. It’s fantastic for Nick, but at the same time, I feel sorry for Robert. At the start, Nico Rosberg overtook Nick, but thanks to the fantastic work of the mechanics, he managed to regain his place in the pits. »

He then drove in a fast and steady way. Finally, he took advantage of the third safety car intervention to match the team’s best result so far.