BMW Sauber preview Monza (Drivers)
Munich/Hinwil, 31st August 2007. Formula One has its foot firmly on the gas as the World Championship approaches the penultimate race of the European season, the Italian Grand Prix. Indeed, the cars will reach higher speeds down the long straights of...
Munich/Hinwil, 31st August 2007. Formula One has its foot firmly on the gas as the
World Championship approaches the penultimate race of the European season, the
Italian Grand Prix. Indeed, the cars will reach higher speeds down the long straights of Monza's Royal Park than anywhere else so far this season.
A special aerodynamics package with the emphasis on low drag and ample engine power are the key to a successful showing at Monza. Bolstered by its strong performance here last year and a recent test at the circuit, the BMW Sauber F1 Team is travelling to Italy in bullish mood.
Nick Heidfeld: Monza is a very special circuit, the only real high-speed track left in Formula One. We hit speeds of up to 350 km/h on the straights, faster than at any other venue during the season. Monza has a lot of tradition and character, but unfortunately also rather outdated safety provisions. Given the high speeds we are driving at, the run-off areas are pretty small. I think we will put in a good performance at Monza. It's a circuit where a good lowdownforce package is important, and we’re normally pretty strong in that area. The other thing you need is bags of engine power, and I think we'll be okay in that department as well. We were right up there at Monza in 2006. I was only third in qualifying, but that was with a heavy fuel load. If we had all been carrying the same amount of fuel, I would most likely have been on pole. In the race itself, I still managed to get a point despite having to come in for a drive-through penalty.
Robert Kubica: After doing so well at Monza last time around, we're looking forward to racing again at the lowest-downforce circuit of the season. I picked up my first podium finish in Formula One here in 2006 and am still waiting for my second. I hope we will be able to reproduce our performance of last year. I like most sections of the track because they are different from other circuits, quite unique. There are some very fast corners and a chicane where you jump heavily over the kerbstones. The car set-up has to be a compromise and meet the demands of both fast and slower sections, offering grip and allowing the fastest possible straightline speed. Monza is not an easy race track. I lived in Italy for a long time and know Monza well after doing a lot of testing there. However, until 2006 I had never really done that well in races at the circuit. I'm a fan of Italy. I always worked with really good people in Italy and drove in karting, Formula Renault and Formula 3 races there always for Italian teams. I have great memories of those times, especially of my karting days.
A special aerodynamics package with the emphasis on low drag and ample engine power are the key to a successful showing at Monza. Bolstered by its strong performance here last year and a recent test at the circuit, the BMW Sauber F1 Team is travelling to Italy in bullish mood.
Nick Heidfeld: Monza is a very special circuit, the only real high-speed track left in Formula One. We hit speeds of up to 350 km/h on the straights, faster than at any other venue during the season. Monza has a lot of tradition and character, but unfortunately also rather outdated safety provisions. Given the high speeds we are driving at, the run-off areas are pretty small. I think we will put in a good performance at Monza. It's a circuit where a good lowdownforce package is important, and we’re normally pretty strong in that area. The other thing you need is bags of engine power, and I think we'll be okay in that department as well. We were right up there at Monza in 2006. I was only third in qualifying, but that was with a heavy fuel load. If we had all been carrying the same amount of fuel, I would most likely have been on pole. In the race itself, I still managed to get a point despite having to come in for a drive-through penalty.
Robert Kubica: After doing so well at Monza last time around, we're looking forward to racing again at the lowest-downforce circuit of the season. I picked up my first podium finish in Formula One here in 2006 and am still waiting for my second. I hope we will be able to reproduce our performance of last year. I like most sections of the track because they are different from other circuits, quite unique. There are some very fast corners and a chicane where you jump heavily over the kerbstones. The car set-up has to be a compromise and meet the demands of both fast and slower sections, offering grip and allowing the fastest possible straightline speed. Monza is not an easy race track. I lived in Italy for a long time and know Monza well after doing a lot of testing there. However, until 2006 I had never really done that well in races at the circuit. I'm a fan of Italy. I always worked with really good people in Italy and drove in karting, Formula Renault and Formula 3 races there always for Italian teams. I have great memories of those times, especially of my karting days.