Troublefree FP1 runs for F1.09, while focus is on politics

By BMW Sauber F1
June 19 2009

In the first practice session for the British Grand Prix, the BMW Sauber F1 Team experienced no problems whatsoever and succeeded in completing its scheduled preparation programme. In the end, Nick Heidfeld finished 13th on the time sheets, with Robert Kubica having to settle for 20th.

The opening session of the British Grand Prix weekend was held under overcast skies, in dry but rather cool conditions (15° C). The BMW Sauber F1 Team used these good conditions to successfully work on its preparations for the race on Sunday.

Throughout the session, Nick and Robert both improved their personal best times consistently, with Nick being the busier and faster of the pairing. Over the course of his three stints, the German completed a total of 24 laps and on his 23rd he clocked his personal best time of 1:21.103 minutes to finish 13th.

Robert also improved lap by lap, however, when the Pole, who completed a total of 16 laps, went out for his third and final stint, at 11:28hrs BST, it was too late for him to set another competitive lap time despite the improved track conditions. Therefore, he had to settle for finishing 20th, with his personal best time of 1:21.801 which he set on his 12th lap.

The fastest lap time of the session (1:19.400 minutes) was clocked by Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel.

In the second 90-minute practice session, starting at 14:00hrs BST, the BMW Sauber Team will continue its set-up work and tyre evaluations for the race on Sunday.