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Sucessful first half of season for BMW: Review
By BMW Sauber F1 Team July 13 2008
As the 2008 Formula One season enters its second half, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has already achieved its goal of winning a Grand Prix. In part one of our review, we look back at the first five Grands Prix of the season. .
Australian Grand Prix.
The BMW Sauber F1 Team makes a successful start to its third Formula One season in Melbourne. At the Australian Grand Prix, Nick Heidfeld crosses the finishing line in second place, putting him on the podium for the eighth time in is career. This is also the fifth time a member of the BMW Sauber F1 Team has stepped onto the podium. After a strong qualifying, which he finishes as second fastest, Robert Kubica has an unlucky race. Just as the Pole is looking good for World Championship points in sixth place, he is taken out by a rival at the restart after a safety car phase.

Malaysian Grand Prix.
In Malaysia, the seat of Premium Partner Petronas, the BMW Sauber F1 Team surpasses its success from Australia. This time, however, it is Robert Kubica who steps onto the podium as runner-up. This is the best Grand Prix result of the Pole's career at this point. Nick Heidfeld completes a successful race with a sixth place in the heat of Sepang. The German is also the first BMW Sauber F1 Team to clock the fastest lap time during the race.

Bahrain Grand Prix.
The race in Bahrain holds a special place in the history of the BMW Sauber F1 Team for two reasons. Robert is the fastest of all the drivers in qualifying. With a time of 1:33.096, he claims the team's first ever pole position. Robert crosses the finishing line in third place and celebrates his second podium finish in succession. Nick finishes just behind his team-mate in fourth place. After three races, the BMW Sauber F1 Team tops the Constructors' Championship for the first time in its history with 30 points.

Spanish Grand Prix.
After three weeks break, the BMW Sauber F1 Team returns to the track to kick off Formula One's European leg in Spain. This time Robert delivers another top finish for the BMW Sauber F1 Team in an exciting race in Barcelona. His fourth place gives him another five World Championship points. Just 5.6 seconds separate the Pole from race winner, World Champion Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari). Nick narrowly misses out on the points, finishing ninth.

Turkish Grand Prix.
Nick and Robert also show the team's strengths in Istanbul. They cross the finishing line in fourth (Robert) and fifth place in their BMW Sauber F1.08s. The reward for a consistent weekend at the "Istanbul Speed Park" is another nine World Championship points. Turkey was also the first stop on the BMW Sauber F1 Team Pit Lane Park's world tour in 2008.

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