07/11/2006
NEWS STORY
Despite the new rules, and indeed new Friday practice format - which will feature two ninety minute sessions - and allow teams to use just two cars, BMW has said that it will continue to use all three of its drivers, Nick Heidfeld, Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel (right).
"We will take the opportunity to have the third driver in the car on Fridays," said Mario Theissen. "It is the clear intention not to have Sebastian here merely as a reserve driver but to give him the opportunity to work through a race weekend.
“From a team perspective it is more important to have the three drivers in the game," he continued, "and that means the third drivers should not just be at test venues but at race weekends.
"If anything happens to the race drivers Sebastian has to step in immediately, and has to perform."
Vettel made his debut as Friday test driver for BMW at the Turkish Grand Prix, following Kubica's promotion to a full race seat, taking the paddock by storm when he topped the Friday timesheets.