15/09/2007
NEWS STORY
In qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix Robert Kubica came fifth and Nick Heidfeld seventh. Heidfeld will move up one position because Kubica will have to drop down ten positions on the grid. The Pole stopped on the track in the morning's free practice session due to an engine failure. This happened just after the installation laps, which meant he couldn't do his preparation work for qualifying. The engine, which had already been used on the high speed Monza circuit, is being sent to Munich today to be analysed.
Robert Kubica: After yesterday's disappointing day, this morning was even more disappointing. We couldn't test anything for qualifying, and unfortunately once you start qualifying you can't touch the car. Also I had to run a bit before starting the show, which is important for qualy three, so that is why we decided to do two runs in the first session and I think this paid off. In summary it was a positive qualifying and tomorrow anything can happen.
Nick Heidfeld: The result is okay. My first lap in the last qualifying session was hampered by yellow flags which were shown after Fernando Alonso's spin. My final lap was all right – not perfect but without mistakes. In Q2 we had a second outing to be on the safe side, but it would have been enough even without it. I think I can improve my position in the race.
Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director): Here in the 14th round of the season we have made it into the top ten in qualifying with both cars for the 14th time. Sadly we had to change the engine in Robert's car after free practice this morning. He missed the entire session because of the failure, but still achieved a very good result by coming fifth in qualifying. Now he has to start ten positions further back, but I believe even from there he has the opportunity to have a good race. Nick had no technical problems, but on his last flying lap he lost some time in the middle sector and this cost him a place.
Willy Rampf (Technical Director): We have now made it to the top ten of qualifying for the 14th time in a row, and that speaks for our consistency! For Nick, everything went according to plan, however, his time in the second part of qualifying gave us hope for even more. For Robert it was a very difficult day, which makes his performance even more remarkable. We changed the set-up of his car substantially from yesterday to today, therefore, it was particularly a disadvantage that he couldn't drive in the morning due to an engine failure. Obviously our engineers did a very good job changing the set- up of the car, as the result proves. Robert will have to make his way through the field. Nevertheless we will try to make it into the points with both cars.
To check out our Spa Qualifying gallery, click here