BMW Sauber Looks Forward To Silverstone |
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Topics: British Grand Prix, BMW-Sauber
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Anthony Fontanelle
July 5, 2007
After a good performance at the French Grand Prix, BMW Sauber is looking to further increase their lead over world champions Renault in the constructor’s championship standings. The next race will be held this Sunday at the Silverstone Circuit. The British Grand Prix is one of the oldest Grands Prix in Formula One’s calendar.
At the French Grand Prix, BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica made his return after being sidelined for the United States Grand Prix after his high speed accident at the Canadian Grand Prix. During his first qualifying run after his horrifying crash in Canada, the Polish Formula One driver posted the fourth fastest lap time. That gave him the chance to start at the fourth spot on the second row of the grid.
The Pole took advantage of his fourth place in qualifying to secure a point finish. He finished fourth behind race winner Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa, and Lewis Hamilton. And going into the British Grand Prix, the young driver is expecting a warm weather and good performance from his car.
“The British weather is well known all over the world for not being very good. However, every time I have been at Silverstone for the race I have had a really sunny weekend, so let's hope it will be nice weather again,” said Kubica. “I like the style of the track and British people enjoy motor racing. It is not the newest one, but I like the whole atmosphere that surrounds it and you feel there is a lot of motorsport history at the circuit,” he added.
Kubica is expecting that the British Grand Prix will be a god one for his team. “Silverstone, I think, will be a good weekend for us,” he said. “I hope so. Last year we were quite strong. I like the track as it is very challenging. Very quick, especially the first sector. Last year it was quite low grip there. I missed the test session this year, so it will be interesting to see how it is on Bridgestone tires.”
Kubica’s thoughts about the weather are shared by his teammate Nick Heidfeld who finished fifth at the French Grand Prix. “During the test I found the circuit extraordinarily bumpy, and apparently other drivers thought the same. The English weather can also add to the excitement. The sequence of the corners at Becketts is very fast and very special. For Silverstone it is especially important to have a good aero package for the fast corners,” said Heidfeld.
The German Formula One driver who uses BMW Sauber’s F1.07 with reliable components similar to BMW E30 parts also said that he is looking forward to the Silverstone race because of the fans. “I especially like the crowd in England because they are just true racing fans. They are very well informed and were also enthusiastic in the years when they did not have a home grown front runner. Of course with Lewis Hamilton the interest will increase a lot for this year's race, but the atmosphere has always been good.”
BMW Sauber is currently third in the constructors’ championship standing behind McLaren and Ferrari. BMW Sauber already has 48 points although they are still a long way off from McLaren with 114 points and Ferrari with 89 points. Right behind BMW Sauber is Renault which has promised to challenge BMW for the third spot.
Source: Amazines.com