BMW to use all three drivers during the GPs

By BMW Sauber F1 Team
November 6 2006

The BMW Sauber F1 Team plans to once again allow all the three drivers out on track, on the Fridays of the 2007 Formula One season. Next year, only two cars will be permitted to contest the Friday sessions. Nonetheless, Sebastian Vettel will continue to support the team's Grand Prix regulars.

"We will take the opportunity to have the third driver in the car on Fridays," confirms BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. "It is the clear intention not to have Sebastian here merely as a reserve driver but to give him the opportunity to work through a race weekend."

"From a team perspective it is more important to have the three drivers in the game and that means the third drivers should not just be at test venues but at race weekends," adds Theissen. "If anything happens to the GP drivers Sebastian has to step in immediately and has to perform."

In the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix, Sebastian made his debut as BMW Sauber F1 Team Friday driver, replacing Robert Kubica who had carried out the role prior to being promoted to a full race seat.