14/01/2008
NEWS STORY
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The BMW Sauber F1 Team has completed its development phase, motivation is strong and its plans are ambitious: the team has targeted a first race win in what will be its third season on the Formula One grid. "We're setting our sights high," admits BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen, "and we'll have to make further improvements in all areas to achieve what we want to. However, the past two years have instilled confidence within the team. We met our goals in both 2006 and 2007, we are heading in the right direction, and everybody in Munich and Hinwil is focused on the job in hand. If we continue our progress along this path we will also fulfil our aims for 2008."
The team will take on the challenge with the same brace of race drivers as in 2007 - Germany's Nick Heidfeld and his Polish team-mate Robert Kubicawill be at the wheel of the BMW Sauber F1.08 for the 18 grands prix which make up the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship.
"It is generally very difficult to define expectations and make forecasts, but I hope that our plan works out and we are able to win our first race in 2008," says Heidfeld, who once again accounted for the largest share of the points earned by the team in 2007 and finished on the podium twice. "I expect us to move forward in all areas - particularly as far as reliability is concerned - and to learn from our mistakes. This development process is essential in what we're trying to achieve."
And Kubica adds: "I will also be looking to achieve greater consistency in my results during my second full season in Formula One. Retirements and that crash in Canada - which also prevented me from starting in the USA - cost me points in 2007. We all need to take further steps forward in 2008 and make maximum use of every opportunity that presents itself."
Theissen holds his two drivers in high regard: "In Nick and Robert we have a strong and evenly matched duo. For our young team, which in 2006 and 2007 had to drive forward its structural and personnel development alongside its World Championship campaign, consistency is also a great asset. We know that these two drivers will get the maximum out of the machinery we give them. The F1.07 was a good car, but with the extra resources which have become available to us, the F1.08 should be even better."
To check out our BMW F1.08 launch gallery, click here