24/02/2006
NEWS STORY
Due to bad weather conditions in the north of Italy, the BMW Sauber F1 Team decided to stop the test prematurely.
Today Jacques Villeneuve and Robert Kubica were unable to complete any timed laps. This was the team’s final pre-season test.
Jacques Villeneuve: "Apart from the bad weather in Imola, pre-season testing went quite well because we did a lot of laps and we didn't have too many mechanical problems. We did a race simulation, which we completed, and did even more laps than a race distance. The performance is definitely a big improvement compared to last year. How this compares to the competition is very difficult to judge, but I strongly believe that we are looking better than one year ago. The BMW Sauber F1.06 is easier to handle than last year's car and the BMW engine is very good, very smooth to drive."
Robert Kubica: "As I am not at all an experienced driver in a Formula One car, the testing opportunities given to me by the team were extremely important. I have been learning a lot. I now understand much more about Formula One already. It is not only about the car and driving it, it is also about how to work with the team and with the engineers. After I started testing with the interim car, I feel the BMW Sauber F1.06 is a big improvement. I’m very much looking forward to Bahrain and my new job there."
Willy Rampf (Technical Director Chassis): "Overall we are very happy with the way the preparations are going. Since the roll-out on 17th January we have covered a total of 9,950 kilometres with the BMW Sauber F1.06 and have had no major problems. In terms of reliability, our car has reached a high standard. We had scheduled a very ambitious test programme and were able to work through it almost completely. It ranged from the initial system checks all the way to a complete race simulation including pit stops. As far as performance goes, we’re also making good progress there, but of course the only real benchmark will be the first race in Bahrain. I’m very happy with the integration process, which is already well advanced. The cooperation between Munich and Hinwil is working out extremely well. Our successful preparations have also been helped by the fact that the three drivers haven’t caused the slightest bit of damage to the car. We will be heading for Bahrain well prepared."