BMW Sauber Jerez test notes 2009-03-05

Weather conditions: Overcast all day with some sun and strong winds in the afternoon.
Air temperature: 15 - 20C, track temperature: 14 - 22C

Number of drivers participating: 6 from 6 teams
Fastest lap overall: Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber F1 Team) 1:20.052 min
Circuit length: 4.428 km

Nick Heidfeld
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.09-03 / BMW 86/9
Test kilometres today: 545 (123 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:20.052 min

Programme:
In the morning on a damp track Nick Heidfeld took the opportunity to work on the car's set- up on wet tyres. Although later in the day the track dried out quickly, gusty winds prevented any useful aerodynamic work. Instead the BMW Sauber F1 Team concentrated on the mechanical set-up of the car. Heidfeld's 123 laps today brought the mileage to a total of 1,728 kms (plus 209 kms on 2010 tyres) for the Jerez test.

Willy Rampf, BMW Sauber Technical Coordinator, said: "The ever changing weather made it quite difficult to do continuous work during the Jerez test. Nevertheless we achieved the main targets of our development programme. Basically we concentrated on set-up work and evaluation of new components. Running the BMW Sauber F1.09 for the first time in full wet conditions was a valuable experience as well. In addition on one of the days we had the chance to test the 2010 specification tyres. Now we will have a busy weekend working out the programme for the last pre-season test in Barcelona next week. Then we will also have a complete race simulation and pit-stop practice on the schedule."

What comes next:
The BMW Sauber F1 Team test crew is now heading for Barcelona where another four days of testing are scheduled from Monday to Thursday next week.

-credit: bmw sauber