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Hungary Race BMW Reactions: We lacked pace
By BMW Sauber F1 Team
August 3 2008
A single point is the scant booty for the BMW Sauber F1 Team after the Hungarian Grand Prix. Although Robert Kubica had a good grid position (4th) he finished eighth and only just made it into the points. Nick Heidfeld’s chances were very limited anyway as he was 15th on the grid. A one stop strategy elevated him to tenth.
Robert Kubica: "This was a difficult race. We were very slow and I was struggling with the overall grip of the car. I had massive oversteer and could not really push. I was trying hard to keep the car on the track. Anyway, one point is better than nothing."

Nick Heidfeld: "My start wasn't perfect but okay. As I had hoped, I was able to overtake three cars on the first lap. But later it became more difficult than expected to race with the heavy car. We went for a one stop strategy, so my car was almost full of fuel at the start and I also had to take care of the tyres. I couldn't match the pace of the cars in front of me. Now we have to analyse today's lack of race pace. Normally this is one of our strengths!"

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director): "We were completely off the pace during the race. Neither driver was able to do the lap times we expected after the sessions on Friday and Saturday. It was the same on both tyre compounds. The reason for that is currently not clear, but we shall analyse everything. Congratulations to Heikki Kovalainen for his maiden win in F1 and, of course, Timo Glock for his strong weekend, crowned by finishing second."

Willy Rampf (Technical Director): "Of course we are very disappointed with today's performance. Now we need to analyse why we were not able to match our qualifying performance during the race. We shall do this in the factories in Hinwil and Munich because, due to the testing break, we are not able to test before the next race in Valencia in three weeks."

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3 Aug, 2008 15:22 Report
BMW Sauber F1 (IP Logged)
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Hungary Race BMW Reactions: We lacked pace
Hungary Race BMW Reactions: We lacked pace

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3 Aug, 2008 15:26 Report
J-Raid (IP Logged)
BMW: The Essence of Racing
Date Joined: Apr, 2007
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Re: Hungary Race BMW Reactions: We lacked pace
Yeah, absolutely need to analize the reasons for being that slow.

Frotunately there isthe traditional 3-week break, which should help, and we should bring some new parts to Valencia.
Good thing is that as Valencia will be unknown for everyone (similations apart), it will be a closer battel. Plus Valencia is not like a slow Monaco. Its in fact a fast medium-high downforce track, which should suit us more.

Race report at http://www.f1network.net/main/s491/st131541.htm

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3 Aug, 2008 15:47 Report
TheContrarian (IP Logged)
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Re: Hungary Race BMW Reactions: We lacked pace
Disappointing race for the team. Robert went backwards, and Nick could not find the pace to pull himself up from a dreadful qualy. Small consolation to gain 5 places...when you start 15th!

Yes, thankfully the break is here. Hopefully they can find some pace and get back up there. How quickly the tables can turn this year.

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3 Aug, 2008 18:21 Report
sessions (IP Logged)
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Re: Hungary Race BMW Reactions: We lacked pace
They surely need to do something positive over the break. Why not announce both drivers are given new higher paying contracts, hand out pay raises to employee's, and impart lots of kudo's to boost moral towards everyone and set the stage for a very positive remainder of the season.
The current approach isn't working. Things are slipping away, and will continue to if attitudes remain the same.

Sessions

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3 Aug, 2008 18:45 Report
tifosa (IP Logged)
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Re: Hungary Race BMW Reactions: We lacked pace
I was extremely surprised at the lack of pace. Kubica was 5th and then went to 10 after the 1st round of pitstops...very perplexing. Hope BMW figures out the problem soon.

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4 Aug, 2008 01:20 Report
Bogs (IP Logged)
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Re: Hungary Race BMW Reactions: We lacked pace
IT looks like the car had very little balance when they put more fuel in the car. Nick was way off pace when he was full at the start of the race (he was running 1:24's, and when Robert go more fuel at the start of the second stint, he too was way off pace.

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4 Aug, 2008 09:58 Report
pgj (IP Logged)
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Re: Hungary Race BMW Reactions: We lacked pace
Don't you dare say that YOU are disappointed! (Sm10) (Sm10) (Sm10).

Ah well tomorrow is another day. lol.

Williams and proud of it.

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4 Aug, 2008 13:26 Report
J-Raid (IP Logged)
BMW: The Essence of Racing
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Re: Hungary Race BMW Reactions: We lacked pace
Quote:
Don't you dare say that YOU are disappointed!

Hehe, I know what you mean pgj. I suffered that in the BMW Williams times, and still suffer for Williams these days.

Quote:
IT looks like the car had very little balance when they put more fuel in the car.

Could be, but don't think so.
Both of our cars were slow even with low fuel load. And as the fuel tank is close to the CoG, it should affect balance much. And I remember Alonso during the of season praising BMW high fuel load long stints (in fact in races before our car behaved well in those situations).

Think it had more to do with general car balance.
Seems the special track characteristics amplified the problems the car had.

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4 Aug, 2008 14:41 Report
Gemm (IP Logged)
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Re: Hungary Race BMW Reactions: We lacked pace
Now, the completely wicked theory of why our team does not develop the car.

Both Nick and Robert are gone next year, so team is not willing to let them know and drive any new developments, as they might be for use in 2009.

very outside shot from me, I know. Don't bet any money on that scenario(Sm103)

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4 Aug, 2008 16:13 Report
Naur Quessir (IP Logged)
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Re: Hungary Race BMW Reactions: We lacked pace
i dont think they will risk it by having two new faces in the team next year.
it might be that one of them will be gone

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5 Aug, 2008 00:59 Report
WanaM3 (IP Logged)
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Re: Hungary Race BMW Reactions: We lacked pace
(Sm72) < Read that symbol as old farm boy here. I'm not good a remembering who posted what and when, but I recall Mario talking about bringing someone along through the organization. That would mean Robert, but nothing is for sure in this business. I like Robert a lot, but also like Nick just as well. Both are capable and fit in with the team. I don't feel Alonso would be a good fit, but I'm not an F1 guru (Sm81) . I personally don't care if Bubba Gump drives the car, just so it's competitive and capable or running at the front of the pack. I don't even care if it's slow success, just so the team is moving forward.

WanaM3

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