BMW Sauber Prepares For Grand Prix de France

Topics:  BMW-Sauber, French Grand Prix

Anthony Fontanelle
June 26, 2007

The North American leg of the current Formula One season left a bitter taste in the mouth of BMW Sauber. At the Canadian Grand Prix, Robert Kubica met an accident while at the United States Grand Prix, Nick Heidfeld was forced to retire after his car malfunctioned. Although the team has scored their highest finish so far at the Canadian Grand Prix, they are looking to improve the team’s performance at the upcoming French Grand Prix.

The next race will be in contrast to the two previous races held in North America. While the Canadian and United States Grands Prix were held around urban locations, the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours is situated on the countryside. This change in the scenery may or may not change the performance of the drivers but according to experts, the course will give drivers more time to think about their driving.

BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld who took the team’s first podium finish this season at the Canadian Grand Prix is apparently looking forward to racing in France and then some. “The Magny-Cours circuit has a lot to offer - two tricky chicanes, a high-speed section and some slow corners. I'm looking forward to the race weekend. The track is demanding, I like the countryside around the circuit and you tend to eat very well in France,” the German Formula One driver said in a recent interview.

As for the location of the tracks, Heidfeld is hoping that the change in scenery will benefit their team. “There's not a lot going on in Magny-Cours and it gets its fair share of criticism as a result. But I like a bit of peace and quiet now and again. And I think the relative tranquility will do the team good after the eventful time we've had recently.”

Meanwhile, Heidfeld’s teammate Robert Kubica who survived an impact of 75-G is looking forward to racing again. The Polish Formula One driver was not permitted to participate at the US Grand Prix. “I can't wait to get back into the car. I may not have been given the green light to compete in the USA, but I hope the medical examination at Magny-Cours will be a formality,” he declared.

The Pole explained why he was not permitted by the FIA and the doctors to race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway saying: “The reason why I wasn't allowed to drive at Indianapolis had nothing to do with how I felt; the problem was the risk involved in suffering a second accident within such a short space of time. That's also why I wasn't allowed to test. I've used the time to focus intensively on preparing for the next race.”

The accident that Kubica met at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Canada is said to be one of the most horrifying crashes in recent memory. His Formula One car was totaled and not even a BMW thermostat would have been found intact considering what was left of his race car.

As for the French Grand Prix, the Pole said that he is neutral about the countryside track. “I'm pretty neutral about the Magny-Cours track. It isn't one of my favorite circuits, but at the same time I don't have a problem with it. Magny-Cours is a lot more fun in a Formula One car than with the smaller cars I've driven there before in other categories of racing,” he shared.

Source:  Amazines.com