Full Throttle

BMW Sauber F1 Team carried out testing with two F1.08B interim cars featuring a modified 2008 chassis with some of the bodywork complying to the 2009 regulations, running with regular driver Robert Kubica and test driver Christian Klien. (See 360 degree rotating view of the new-for-2009 “appendages” heree - ed)

In addition, Christian Klien’s car was fitted with BMW’s own KERS device. During the first of three test days in Barcelona the team’s main goal was to collect data in preparation for the 2009 season. Both drivers tried different mechanical and aerodynamic solutions as well as sampling first impressions of the 2009 slick tires.

“We are gaining more and more experience with the KERS system,” commented Klien, “but we still have a lot of work to do to fine-tune the system.”

The team will continue testing at Circuit de Catalunya for two more days. Tomorrow Robert Kubica will again be at the wheel of the BMW Sauber F1.08B, along with Nick Heidfeld. On Wednesday Nick Heidfeld and Christian Klien will be on duty.

Also on hand in Barcelona was five-time world rally champion (WRC) Sebastien Loeb who recorded the eighth-fastest time of the day while driving a Red Bull car Monday.

The Frenchman, who last year tested a Renault F1 car at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit on the French Riviera, completed 82 laps of the Catalan track, recording a fastest lap of 1:22.503.

By way of comparison, Japanese driver Takuma Sato - who has over 90 F1 grands prix under his belt - set the day’s fastest lap time with 1:20.763.

“I hoped that I wouldn’t be too far (off the pace) and I’m especially happy with how it felt at the end today, when I improved my time,” Loeb said.

“Bit by bit I started to feel more at ease and began to relax, so it went better towards the end.”