By BMW Sauber F1 Team
March 26 2009

Extensive rule changes ahead of the 2009 Formula One season have resulted in this season's new cars having very little in common with their predecessors. BMW Sauber F1 Team driver Robert Kubica talks about some of this year's modifications.

"Generally speaking, the BMW Sauber F1.09 is a completely different car to the BMW Sauber F1.08," says Robert. "Restrictions to the aerodynamics mean the new cars have considerably less downforce. This is partly compensated for by the return of slick tyres, which develop greater grip than the profiled tyres we have used for the past few years."

When it comes to the configuration of the wings, the drivers are once again entering uncharted waters: "I have got used to the wider front wing now," says Robert. "The difficulty is that you cannot see the very ends of the wing from the cockpt, as they are hidden by the front wheels."

Robert is reckoning on some surprises, particularly at the curtain-raiser in Melbourne: "I am intrigued to see what happens in the first corner in Melbourne," says the Pole. "I can imagine that we will see a considerably greater number of damaged front wings than we have in the past."