Formula 1
Chinese GP: BMW Sauber qualifying report
Weather: dry, 27-28C Air, 34-36C Track Shanghai (CN). Mixed feelings for the BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. Nick Heidfeld was rather happy with his car and took seventh place, while his team mate, ...
Published: Oct 19, 2008, 2:58 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Weather: dry, 27-28C Air, 34-36C Track
Shanghai (CN). Mixed feelings for the BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. Nick Heidfeld was rather happy with his car and took seventh place, while his team mate, Robert Kubica, struggled with the balance of his car and wasn't able to do any better than 12th.
Nick Heidfeld:
BMW Sauber F1.08-07 / BMW P86/8
Qualifying 7th, 1.37.201 min (3. Training: 1st, 1.36.061 min)
"I think this was the best I could manage today, and I'm glad the positive trend in qualifying I had in the last three races has continued. I feel sorry for Robert. Apparently he struggled here and this grid position reduces his championship chances, but certainly we'll never give up."
Robert Kubica:
BMW Sauber F1.08-05 / BMW P86/8
Qualifying 12th, 1:35.814 min in Q2 (3rd Practice: 3rd, 1:36.150 min)
"A very disappointing qualifying! I was struggling with the balance of the car all weekend. We made some changes before qualifying, but they had a negative effect. The car was difficult to drive and I couldn't push as I wanted. I expect a tough race because now we are not allowed to change the set-up."
Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
"That was a disappointing qualifying for Robert and the whole team, especially because he didn't progress from Q2. Throughout the whole weekend Robert has not been happy with the balance of his car, and this did not change in qualifying. The only advantage in this situation is we can choose our own strategy for Robert tomorrow. From the team's point of view we are relying on Nick for our chances. He did a good job in Qualifying and managed to set the seventh best time."
Willy Rampf (Technical Director):
"The result is obviously not what we were hoping for. With Robert we were not able to bring the good result from the third free practice into qualifying, which meant he was unhappy with the balance of his car and only ended up 12th. Nick did a good job and qualified where we expected him to be."
-credit: bmw sauber
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Chinese GP: Practice 3 times
Next article Chinese GP: Qualifying press conference
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Robert Kubica
Missing out on Ferrari F1 drive felt like "bleeding" to Robert Kubica
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
Missing out on Ferrari F1 drive felt like "bleeding" to Robert Kubica
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Formula 1
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
What would you like to ask Robert Kubica?
WEC
What would you like to ask Robert Kubica?
More from
Sauber
Lewis Hamilton 'almost signed for Sauber' before F1 debut, says Peter Sauber
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya Pre-Season Testing
Lewis Hamilton 'almost signed for Sauber' before F1 debut, says Peter Sauber
F1 2025 season highlights: Fans crown Nico Hulkenberg's podium and Lando Norris's title as top moments
Formula 1
Formula 1
F1 2025 season highlights: Fans crown Nico Hulkenberg's podium and Lando Norris's title as top moments
F1 2025 recap: Gabriel Bortoleto justified Sauber’s faith in him
Formula 1
Formula 1
F1 2025 recap: Gabriel Bortoleto justified Sauber’s faith in him
Latest news
Tom Cruise interested in racing ARCA car, per NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
6 h
Tom Cruise interested in racing ARCA car, per NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell
Gibbs, Spire and Gabehart argue over contempt and injunction
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
8 h
Gibbs, Spire and Gabehart argue over contempt and injunction
William Byron to run Jeff Gordon throwback Axalta scheme at Phoenix
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
9 h
William Byron to run Jeff Gordon throwback Axalta scheme at Phoenix
Alexander Rossi takes over IR-28 testing as IndyCar pushes new chassis to the limit at Sebring
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 9 h
Alexander Rossi takes over IR-28 testing as IndyCar pushes new chassis to the limit at Sebring
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe