Formula One news

Trouble-free track debut for new BMW

At 1pm the new BMW Sauber F1.07 left the garage for the very first time. It had its roll-out according to schedule at the Valencia circuit. Nick Heidfeld had the honour of completing the maiden laps under an overcast sky, but on a dry track. 

"Everything worked trouble free," said Heidfeld. "The car felt good right from the beginning, but also unfamiliar. Of course you don't go to the limit straight away with a brand new car. First you do systems' checks, you monitor temperatures and such things. During the first three laps I was one second quicker each lap. This obviously shows I was still far away from the limit, but it is also nice. I couldn't wait for this day. Within the last months in the factories in Hinwil and Munich everybody was working unbelievably hard. The team is full of ambition and motivation. We are facing an exciting season with quite a lot of unknown factors. During the three next days we will be doing serious testing with the F1.07." 

Team boss Mario Theissen added: "The first day with the F1.07 went very well. It was a condensed presentation with a roll-out directly afterwards. The new car clocked up its first laps without any error. We are now armed for the first real test which will take place here in Valencia from Wednesday to Friday this week."

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