German Car Zone

BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM - GERMAN GP - PREVIEW

Munich/Hinwil. The excitement is building at the BMW Sauber F1 Team ahead of its home GP at Hockenheim on 20th July. The team has conducted three days of testing at the circuit in the state of Baden-Württemberg in preparation for the race.

Formula One welcomes back the German Grand Prix following an absence of two years. 2008 also sees the return of Hockenheim to the calendar, after the Nürburgring hosted a round of the 2007 World Championship under the banner of the European Grand Prix. Five of the 20 drivers on the F1 grid hold a German passport, with Nick Heidfeld by far the most successful of the group.

Currently lying fifth in the Drivers’ Championship on 36 points, Heidfeld recorded his third second-place finish of the season at Silverstone last time out. The German is 10 points behind his team-mate Robert Kubica in the standings, the Pole – on 46 points – trailing the leaders by just two points. Going into round 10 of the 18-race season, Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) and the Ferrari pair of Felipe Massa and Kimi Räikkönen are level at the top on 48 points. In the constructors’ standings, the BMW Sauber F1 Team remains in second place at the half-way point of the season.
The German Grand Prix programme will see the revival of the most spectacular single-make competition in motor racing history. The BMW M1 Procar series will be back at Hockenheim on Saturday and Sunday as a field of ten cars

Nick Heidfeld:
“I’m really looking forward to my home grand prix. Hockenheim is a very special race for the whole team, while a lot of Swiss fans have traditionally made the trip across the border to give their support. I personally have a lot of good memories of the Hockenheimring, especially the old circuit with its long straights through the forest. Those sections were really unmistakeable, but the new track is, of course, significantly safer and better for the spectators – and I appreciate it for those reasons. Plus, a good overtaking opportunity has been created in the Parabolika. I’ve driven at Hockenheim in Formula Ford, Formula 3, Formula 3000 and Formula One, and can’t wait for this grand prix.”

Robert Kubica:
“In 2006 I had the opportunity to drive at Hockenheim in free practice on Friday, but this will be my first Formula One grand prix there – although I did race at the circuit in F3. We weren’t there last year so I think it will be a very special weekend for our team and especially for BMW and all the BMW fans. We always try our best. It is the kind of track with different kinds of corners, although not really high-speed corners. The only one that is quite quick is when you enter the stadium, where there is always a special atmosphere. I know corner one is pretty quick but not really a long corner. There are some quite short corners with only one line you can take through them.”

Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director:
“This is the only F1 race being held in our home country in 2008 and naturally we’re very much looking forward to it. However, you can’t afford to let that disturb your concentration – after all, we don’t get any more points here just because its our home GP. The circuit has lost some of its allure since they cut out the straights through the forest, but the atmosphere should be fantastic after a year without Formula One. It is sure to be an extremely exciting race. Three drivers are tied at the top of the drivers’ standings, while Robert is only two points behind them. Nick is not far away either, and his strong performance at Silverstone has given him an extra boost. You could not have written a better script for our home GP.
“Hockenheim takes us into the second half of the season. The nine races so far have brought us 82 points and seven podiums, and we have scored points on every occasion. All of which means we are in second place in the Constructors’ Championship, 14 points behind Ferrari but 10 ahead of McLaren Mercedes. The highlight of our season so far has, of course, been the one-two in Montreal. Fastest race lap, pole position, race victory – in all the categories where there was a zero next to our team in the statistics not so long ago, there is now a 1. And that has, of course, given the team members in Munich and Hinwil even more confidence. Everybody in the team can see that we are on the right path.
“We set out to turn the two-horse race at the top of the standings into a three-way battle and to win our first race, and we have achieved this goal. Two teams are still a touch faster than us when you look at the lap times. However, as far as the reliability of our cars and the work of the pit crew and race strategists are concerned, we are already a top team. We will now make every effort to keep our chances alive this season, while not neglecting the development of the F1.09. That is a big challenge, especially given the radical rule changes due to come into force next year.”
Willy Rampf, Technical Director:
“Needless to say, Hockenheim is a very special race for us, and there is an extra buzz of anticipation within the team. The circuit is characterised by slow and medium-speed corners, where you need a lot of downforce. More than any other part of the track, the Motodrom is a key section when it comes to the lap time. However, you can’t afford to ignore top speed altogether, as the best overtaking spot is going into the hairpin after the long Parabolika, which is taken flat-out. Here, as well as a good top speed, the most important thing for the drivers is high braking stability and optimum traction on the exit from the corner.”

Facts and figures:
Circuit/Date: Hockenheim/20th July 2008
Start time (local/UTC): 14.00 hrs/12.00 hrs
Lap/Race distance: 4.574 km/308.863 km (67 laps)
Corners: 10 right-hand and 7 left-hand corners
Winner 2006 Michael Schumacher, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, 1 hr 27:51.693 min
Pole position 2006: Kimi Räikkönen, Team McLaren Mercedes, 1:14.070 min
Fastest lap 2006: Michael Schumacher, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, 1:16.357 min
Data 2006 (race):
Full-throttle percentage: 64 %
Top speed: 310 km/h
Longest stretch at full throttle: 14 sec / 1,030 m
Gear changes per lap: 46
Tyre wear: medium
Brake wear: medium to high
Downforce level: medium to high
Nick Heidfeld
Date of birth: 10.05.1977
Place of birth: Mönchengladbach/Germany
Nationality: German
Residence: Stäfa, Switzerland
Marital status: Partner Patricia Papen, daughter Juni, son Joda
Height: 1.67 m
Weight: 61 kg
F1 debut: 2000, Melbourne
GP starts: 143
Pole positions: 1
Wins: -
Podium places: 10
Fastest laps: 1
Best placing: 5th (2007)
Total points: 176
Points 2008: 36 (5th place)
Robert Kubica
Date of birth: 07.12.1984
Place of birth: Krakow/Poland
Nationality: Polish
Residence: Monaco
Marital status: Single
Height: 1.84 m
Weight: 69 kg
F1 debut: 2006, Budapest
GP starts: 31
Pole positions: 1
Wins: 1
Podium places: 5
Fastest laps: -
Best placing: 6th (2007)
Total points: 91
Points 2008: 46 (4th place)
BMW Sauber F1 Team
Founded: 01.01.2006
Locations: Munich (DE) and Hinwil (CH)
F1 debut: 2006, Melbourne
GP starts: 44
Pole positions: 1
Wins: 1
Podium places: 10 (4 x 3rd / 5 x 2nd / 1 x 1st)
Fastest laps: 1
Championship placings:
5th (2006), 36 points
2nd (2007), 101 points
2nd (2008), 82 points after 9 GPs
History and background:

Hockenheim has a population of over 20,000 and lies in the state of Baden-Württemberg. Hockenheim’s inaugural event, held on an as yet unsurfaced triangular track, was a motorcycle race which took place on 29th May 1932. In 1938 the circuit was modified to become the oval-shaped Kurpfalzring. 1957 saw further upgrading and the addition of the Motodrom. Hockenheim’s first Formula One GP was held on 2nd August 1970. In 1977 the German Grand Prix moved to Baden, only returning to the Nürburgring once – in 1985.
For its 70th anniversary in 2002, the race track displayed a new design and a new name: since then, the “Hockenheimring Baden Württemberg“ has managed without the famous long forest straights which offered no room for spectators. Where the course used to disappear into the woods, the field now takes a right turn into the full-throttle Parabolika section. This ends in a hairpin that is taken in first gear with the steering wheel almost at full lock. A generous asphalt run-off zone encourages overtaking manoeuvres. Following this hairpin, a right-left-right combination leads back into the Motodrom “stadium”.
Schedule for group interviews at the weekend:
Thursday:
13.30-13.40 – Robert Kubica – TV
13.40-14.00 – Robert Kubica – print media
14.00-14.10 – Christian Klien – TV
14.10-14.30 – Christian Klien – print media
14.00-14.20 – Marko Asmer – print media
14.20-14.30 – Marko Asmer – TV
15.00 – Nick Heidfeld – FIA press conference
15.30-15.35 – Mario Theissen – TV
15.35-16.00 – Mario Theissen – print media
18.00-18.30 – Willy Rampf – by prior arrangement only
Friday:
16.00 – Mario Theissen – FIA press conference
16.45-16.55 – Nick Heidfeld – TV
16.45-16.55 – Robert Kubica – TV
Saturday:
16.45-16.55 – Nick Heidfeld – TV
16.55-17.15 – Nick Heidfeld – print media
16.45-17.05 – Robert Kubica – print media
17.05-17.15 – Robert Kubica –TV
17.30-17.35 – Mario Theissen – TV
17.35-18.00 – Mario Theissen – print media
Sunday:
Approx. 30 minutes after the end of the race, Heidfeld, Kubica, Theissen and Rampf will be on hand in the team’s Hospitality area.
[Source: BMW]

I sure hope that Nick and Robert will eb able to mix themselves in the debates for a podium finish. It's the teams home GP so I really hope they will give a splendid performance.
For BMW Sauber it is a very difficult time now IMO. Must be really hard to decide where to put the resources. We have a chance of winning a world championship but only if the others keep messing things up like they are doing for the entire season. It is thanks to the really great and consistent performances of the drivers in every race that the team is placed second in the championship (and this time without penalties for other teams), but they also must take the next season into account, because the cards could be mixed seriously due to the new regulations. And I really hope that next year we will be as fast as ferrari and McLaren, because when it depends on the drivers I know it's possible to become world champion agian, we'v' been waiting for this since 1983!
So good luck to the entire team for the next weekend, I know i'll be watching it and hoping for a second victory

Looks like rain

if it rains, i assume Ferrari will screw up somewhere.

Hopefully...

The best conditions at the circuit will be damp and hopefully it will rain. Ferrari, Massa in particular, will crumble.

German GP History

Venues:
Nurburgring Nordschleife (1951-‘58, 61-69, ’71-76)
Avus, Berlin (1958)
Hockenheim (1970, ’77-’84, ‘86-’06, '08)
Nurburgring (1985)


Recent winners:

2006 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2005 - Fernando Alonso (Renault)
2004 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2003 - Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams)
2002 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2001 - Ralf Schumacher (Williams)
2000 - Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari)
1999 - Eddie Irvine (Ferrari)
1998 - Mika Hakkinen (McLaren)
1997 - Gerhard Berger (Benetton)


Memorable German Grand Prix moments:

1957 - Juan Manuel Fangio scored what is considered by many to be the greatest win of all time at the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife. Fangio started with a half tank of fuel and in the opening stages of the race built up a substantial lead. However, a lost wheel nut meant his pit stop took an agonising 52 seconds, dropping him 45 seconds behind the heavy fuelled Lancia-Ferraris of Mike Hawthorn and Peter Collins. After the stop Fangio went on a charge, lapping his lightweight Maserati 250F up to eight seconds faster than the Ferraris. With only two laps remaining Fangio passed both Ferraris and came across the line to celebrate his 24th and final victory. Years later he said: “Somewhere deep inside me, I told myself that never, never again was I going to drive like I did that day.”

1968 - Another contender for the greatest win of all time was Jackie Stewart’s tour de force at the Nurburgring in 1968. In driving rain and thick fog, Stewart built up an astonishing four-minute lead over his closest competitor, Graham Hill, en route to victory. Amazingly the race ran its full distance and none of the drivers had a serious accident.

1976 - Nobody expected Niki Lauda to pull through after his terrifying accident on the Nordschleife in 1976. It was only the slightest mistake that caused Niki Lauda’s Ferrari 312T2 to spear off the road and burst into flames, but the consequences were nearly fatal. The incident highlighted the dangers of the 14-mile track and the impossible challenge of effectively marshalling all 100-plus corners. F1 never returned to the Nordschleife again.

1982 - Tempers flared at Hockenheim when Nelson Piquet was leading the grand prix only to be taken out by backmarker Eliseo Salazar. Piquet jumped from his car thrashing at Salazar and after a couple of blows to the crash helmet the pair were separated by marshals.

1991 - Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost fell out for the umpteenth time at Hockenheim in 1991. This time round Senna had left no room for Prost as the Frenchman attempted to overtake around the outside of the first chicane. Prost was forced up an escape road where he stalled and retired from the race, leaving him infuriated at Senna.


2000 - Rubens Barrichello took his first Formula 1 win in very unusual circumstances at Hockenheim. The Brazilian started from 17th but a combination of wet conditions, a track invader and some inspired driving gave him the win. The two McLaren-Mercedes took an early lead but their efforts were negated when a recently fired Mercedes employee took to the track in protest at his dismissal. Barrichello then took the lead as rain fell on the stadium section but left the rest of the track dry; the Brazilian stayed on dry tyres, excelling in the conditions. The emotional Rubens broke into tears on the podium.


2002 - It was the first year of the new track configuration and while the purists mourned the loss of another distinctive circuit, some fantastic racing unfolded. Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen battled side-by-side from the newly developed hairpin right up to the original stadium section. Montoya came out on top and went on to finish in second place.


Drivers with reason to love Hockenheim...

Jenson Button - With the exception of a retirement in 2002, the Englishman has scored points on every visit to Hockenheim. His best finish was a second place in 2004 after he had to drive one-handed for much of the race to stop his helmet strap from choking him.


Fernando Alonso - While at Renault the Spaniard never finished outside the top five at Hockenheim, winning the race here in 2005. Even in the unfancied Minardi in 2001 he finished 10th.

Rubens Barrichello - The Hockenheim circuit will always hold a special place in the Brazilian’s heart as the site of his first grand prix win in 2000. However, he has also suffered eight retirements on this circuit – most of them due to the gruelling old configuration in the 1990s.


Drivers with reason to hate Hockenheim...

Kimi Raikkonen - The Finn’s record at Hockenheim does not read well – it wasn’t until 2006 that he actually finished a race here. His most dramatic retirement came in 2004 when a rear wing failure catapulted him into the barriers at turn one.


Nico Rosberg - Despite success in the junior formulae here, his only Formula 1 race at Hockenheim so far ended on the first lap. The German lost the rear end of his Williams entering the stadium section and buried it in the tyre barrier.

Nick Heidfeld - The German has only scored one point at his home grand prix and has retired from the race four times. His Sauber looked competitive in 2001 but was taken out by Pedro de la Rosa’s Jaguar after a restart.

From ITV

Mercedes pre-race events:

[/quote]
Looks like a nice party. I'm starting to wonder how those F1 drivers keep their minds on racing. I know I would have serious trouble to keep focused

P1
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:15.537 22
2. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:15.666 + 0.129 19
3. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:15.796 + 0.259 22
4. Alonso Renault (B) 1:16.163 + 0.626 22
5. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:16.327 + 0.790 23
6. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:16.606 + 1.069 27
7. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:16.618 + 1.081 25
8. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:16.719 + 1.182 20
9. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:16.821 + 1.284 26
10. Piquet Renault (B) 1:17.063 + 1.526 26
11. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:17.108 + 1.571 18
12. Button Honda (B) 1:17.131 + 1.594 28
13. Glock Toyota (B) 1:17.185 + 1.648 28
14. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:17.268 + 1.731 11
15. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:17.471 + 1.934 30
16. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:17.500 + 1.963 24
17. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:17.556 + 2.019 29
18. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:17.784 + 2.247 29
19. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:18.779 + 3.242 8
20. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:21.506 + 5.969 16