Kubica suffers big engine blow in Practice2, Nick struggles

By BMW Sauber F1
May 21 2009

In the second practice session of the Monaco GP weekend, Robert Kubica was stopped early following a technical problem. Consequently, Nick Heidfeld was the only BMW Sauber F1 Team driver to continue the BMW Sauber F1 Team's preparation programme. In the end, the German finished 17th.

As was the case in the morning, conditions were brilliant when the light at the pit-lane exit was switched to green for the second session of the Monaco GP weekend. However, Robert had no chance of making use of the ideal conditions as his second session at Monaco's "Circuit de la Principauté" came to a sudden and early end. The Pole had just completed his out lap and was accelerating for his first flying lap when flames came out from the rear of his BMW Sauber F1.09 and ended his chances of contributing to the team's preparation work.

Due to this incident it was up to Nick alone to continue the Munich and Hinwil based squad's preparation programme. Over the course of the session the German completed 40 laps and improved his personal best time in each of his stints, whether it be a long-run or a shorter stint. On his 36th lap, the German crossed the line in 1:17.109 minutes, thus setting his personal best time and finishing 17th on the time sheets.

The fastest lap time of the second session was set by Williams driver Nico Rosberg.

On the Friday of the Monaco GP weekend there will be no race action but the BMW Sauber F1 Team engineers and mechanics will continue to work hard. They will use the day to analyse the data gathered today which they will then use to improve the BMW Sauber F1.09's competitiveness. In the third practice session on Saturday (11:00 to 12:00hrs CEST, 10:00 to 11:00hrs BST), Nick and Robert will go out again to complete their set-up work and tyre evaluations.