Brazilian GP: BMW Sauber Friday practice notes

For the final Friday of the Formula 1 season in Brazil BMW Sauber F1 Team test and reserve driver, Sebastian Vettel, was third quickest on his first visit to the Interlagos track. It was also a trouble free first day for both Robert Kubica and ...

For the final Friday of the Formula 1 season in Brazil BMW Sauber F1 Team test and reserve driver, Sebastian Vettel, was third quickest on his first visit to the Interlagos track. It was also a trouble free first day for both Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld.

Sebastian Vettel:

"It was a good Friday. Although rain was predicted, it stayed dry which was an advantage and meant that in both sessions we were able do our preparation work well. I did a lot of laps and collected a lot of data. I like the track very much. It is very bumpy but a lot of fun to drive on."

Robert Kubica:

"I have done just a few laps. The track is quite nice to drive, but there is not a lot of grip and it is a bit bumpy. However, it is the same for everybody. For me everything is okay and it is just a normal Friday, although I did spin after going on a white line, which I think was still a bit wet from this morning."

Nick Heidfeld:

"Normally I really like driving in Interlagos, but today I found it pretty difficult because the balance of my car is not right yet. The car isn't behaving consistently, but on the other hand the lap times where consistent, and that is positive."

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):

"We are satisfied with the first day of practice. Sebastian had a big programme, which especially contained the tyre comparisons, and completed 62 laps. He is happy with both the set up and the performance of the car. Nick and Robert haven't done any long runs so far, but tomorrow they will profit from Sebastian's set up work."

"There were one or two spins, but we had no technical problems. The most successful driver of all time is retiring, he did a lot for the sport and because of him, especially in Germany, F1 is very popular. As a thank you to Michael Schumacher we have Thanks Michael and Danke Michael on the rear wings of our cars."

Willy Rampf (Technical Director):

"The last Friday practice session of the 2006 season went absolutely according to plan. Interlagos is known for extreme improvements in the grip level, so we have to have these changing conditions in mind when looking at the data from Sebastian's tyre comparison. With Nick and Robert we waited until the end of the session in order to find best track conditions to get the right information for the car's balance."

Sebastian Vettel
Chassis/engine: BMW Sauber F1.06-08/BMW P86
1st Practice: 4th, 1:14.204
2nd Practice: 3rd, 1:12.870

Robert Kubica
Chassis/engine: BMW Sauber F1.06-09/BMW P86
1st Practice: No Time
2nd Practice: 16th, 1:14.510

Nick Heidfeld
Chassis/engine: BMW Sauber F1.06-04/BMW P86
1st Practice: No Time
2nd Practice: 18th, 1:14.793