Hot and dust doesn't prevent BMW focusing on racing in 'VLC'

By BMW Sauber F1
August 21 2009

Formula One is back. After taking a summer break for a few weeks, the 20 drivers in the World Championship kicked off the much-anticipated final phase of the 2009 season at the "Valencia Street Circuit". The BMW Sauber F1 Team set about its work during the first free practice session at the European Grand Prix in a focused manner, completing 43 laps.

Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld took to the track for the first of their longer outings after about half an hour, immediately setting their fastest laps of the morning. On lap eight, Nick temporarily advanced into the top group of drivers with a time of 1:44.040 minutes. Team-mate Robert was even quicker than the German, clocking a fastest lap time of 1:43.419 minutes, which temporarily put him in second.

Over the course of the 90-minute session, Robert headed out onto the track another three times and, together with the engineers, worked hard on the basic set-up of the BMW Sauber F1.09. After the opening stint, Nick left the pit lane on two further occasions. Neither driver improved on the fastest laps they set earlier. Robert finished the session in 12th, with Nick taking 15th.

For several drivers racing for the first time in Valencia, the circuit was not the only aspect they had to come to terms with: they also had to familiarise themselves with a 2009 Formula One car. Romain Grosjean was making his debut as Renault's second driver, while Luca Badoer celebrated his Formula comeback as a replacement for Ferrari driver Felipe Massa. The pairing had to make do with positions 17th and 20th.

The teams can also expect hot conditions for the second free practice (from 14:00hrs local time, 13:00hrs BST) on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. The thermometer reached 28 degrees Celsius during the morning session.