Qualifying was the key

By BMW Sauber F1 Team
September 17 2006

Thanks to a flawless race performance, Robert Kubica secured a great third place in the Italian Grand Prix. Here, the young Pole reveals that he and the BMW Sauber F1 Team laid the foundation stone for this success much earlier.

There were several crucial factors that contributed to the BMW Sauber F1.06's competitive race performance, such as the low-downforce aero package and the right tyre choice. "We didn't make any mistakes choosing the tyres as did in Istanbul," says Robert. "Then, we had good ones for qualifying, but not for the race, this time I concentrated with the team on choosing the right tyres for the race."

From Robert's point of view, the good qualifying result also represented a crucial factor for the strong showing in the race. "The key I think was qualifying," he says. "I could have qualified better, but unfortunately I made some small mistakes at Lesmo, and for us anyway third row was really good with the tyres that we had. We knew we had a lot of fuel compared to the others and with the good starts we had in Hungary and in Turkey I hoped to win some positions." A goal he realised in fine style: From sixth grid position, Robert virtually rocketed away and at the exit of the "Autodromo Nazionale di Monza's" first chicane, he already held third position.

In the closing stages of the race, the young gun focused on making it to the chequered flag. Robert adds: "Maybe the second and third stints could have been quicker but you know when there are still some laps to go and you are running third in the third Grand Prix of your career you are not really pushing, you just want to stay on the track and to bring the car home to the finish line. I think it was a really good race for me and for all the team and we were not expecting it."