Friday:Trouble-free first session in China

By BMW Sauber F1 Team
September 29 2006

In the first free practice session for the Chinese Grand Prix, the BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers successfully completed their scheduled preparation programme. The session was held in dry conditions, but under overcast skies, with temperatures reaching 27 degrees Celsius.

As was the case in Turkey and Italy, it was test driver Sebastian Vettel who carried out the majority of the set-up work and tyre evaluations scheduled for session one. Once again, the young German impressed by making no mistakes whatsoever. He completed three stints totalling 24 laps, setting a personal fastest lap time of 1:37.913 minutes to finish seventh.

While the German BMW Sauber F1 Team GP regular, Nick Heidfeld, made do with completing just one installation lap, Robert Kubica was sent out for a late five-lap stint to contribute to the team's preparations for the remainder of the weekend. The Pole improved lap by lap and on his third flying lap, he set a personal fastest time of 1:38.062 minutes, thus finishing just fractions slower than Sebastian. Robert secured seventh place on the timesheets. The fastest lap time of the session was set by Williams test driver Alexander Wurz.

In the second free practice session (07:00 to 08:00hrs BST), Nick, Sebastian and Robert will continue the preparations for qualifying and the race.