Formula One news
Large Barcelona upgrade for BMW
28 April 2009The BMW team is eager to debut an upgrade to its package for the Spanish Grand Prix next weekend. The Swiss-German team, which began development on its F1.09 in the second half of last year, has endured a tough start to this campaign but is hoping to propel Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld back up the rankings.
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| Theissen hopes for an instant improvement in Spain |
Since taking over the Sauber team for the 2006 season, BMW has made gradual improvements up the field which resulted in a glorious one-two result in last year's Canadian Grand Prix. 2009 has not started well for the white cars, though, which currently lie sixth in the constructors' championship. With the start of the European season imminent, the squad is hoping that significant aerodynamic changes will put paid to a miserable first four races.
"We decided before the start of the season to combine a bigger development package for Barcelona, and I can only hope that this will pay off," said BMW motorsport boss Mario Theissen. "It looks like we are behind, but if the package is good the picture can change within two weeks; what we have seen now is quite surprising - that, with new regulations, it's a close field. That shows, together with small gaps, that it can change again within a few races."
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| Last weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix saw Kubica and Heidfeld finish 18th and 19th |
All points for the team so far have come courtesy of Nick Heidfeld, with a possible chance for victory lost in Melbourne after Kubica's collision with Sebastian Vettel. "The car was very good in Melbourne," Dr. Theissen continued. "Robert could have won that race, although we were not the quickest, but were still quite competitive. Apparently other teams have made improvements on a race-by-race basis whereas we are preparing a comprehensive package for Barcelona and I can only hope that we will make a step forward there."
Theissen also explained how Barcelona's updated package will be the first improvement of many throughout the season, but defended the team's position to concentrate on 2009 development as early as the middle of last season; he did, however, stress that the decision did not hamper last year's challenge. "We pushed last year to get results and I have explained it before," he recapped. "We had at least as many developments as the year before, they were just not as successful. We did not give up on development early last year although it is disappointing that this year's package is not up to the top standard, but that's how it is.
"We have had three years of continuous improvement and now a setback. The team has to show - and will show - how competitive we are. Everyone has to deal with this from time to time and I'm confident that we will bounce back."
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