Saturday – BMW Sauber limits the damage

With a very frustrating 2009 season for all the workers at the Hinwil team, especially since the announcement in July of BMW’s withdrawal from F1 at the end of the year, the frustrations continue for Heidfeld in Brazil despite a reasonable qualifying for Kubica.

Robert Kubica – 19th and 8th:

« The conditions for this qualifying session were really difficult. At one point, there was so much water on the track that the car was almost impossible to drive. Fortunately, after the break, the conditions were a little better. We have very little downforce, which is obviously tricky in these conditions. To my great surprise, the car was very competitive where it was very wet and a bit more difficult to drive with less water. I had too much understeer. The car was set up for a dry track, so we need to see what the weather will be like tomorrow. »

Nick Heidfeld – 9th and 18th (19th time):

« Of course, it is very frustrating to be out in Q1, but I didn’t have any chance there. We knew it would certainly rain during qualifying, and we adjusted the ride height accordingly, but it wasn’t enough given the amount of water on the track. In a Formula 1 car, you don’t just have aquaplaning with the tires but also with the floor. It’s no longer driving but swimming. At the end of Q1, when I had switched to new tires, the conditions changed again, which didn’t help me either. »

Mario Theissen – Director of BMW Motorsport:

« Just like two weeks ago in Suzuka, the qualifying sessions in Sao Paulo were once again dominated by the weather. This was particularly true for the first and second parts of qualifying. Nick got stuck in traffic, while Robert recorded his best lap. After the conditions worsened, he did not get further than Q1. For Robert, everything went as planned until his last attempt on intermediates. In his decisive lap, he lost time in turn seven, which qualifies him in eighth position. Today, more would have been possible. »