BMW Sauber F1.09 unveiled in Valencia.
Valencia, 20th January 2009. The BMW Sauber F1 Team raised the curtain on its
2009 season in Formula One in Valencia this morning. Robert Kubica (24) and Nick
Heidfeld (31) unveiled the new BMW Sauber F1.09 shortly after nine o'clock. Kubica
then took the car for its first lap of the southern Spanish circuit. The team goes into its
fourth season with the ambitious aim of fighting for the World Championship title.
BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen reinforces the point: "We have set
ourselves the task of further improving our performance relative to the rest of the field.
The 1-2 in Canada and a total of eleven podium finishes in 2008 set an exacting
standard. In 2009 we are looking to maintain our first-class reliability record while at
the same time enhancing our performance levels so that we can be at the front of the
pack on a consistent basis. We are aware that we are aiming extremely high. This is
the final step in our development, and that's generally the hardest one to take."
Building the new car represented a massive challenge. Fundamental changes to the
regulations have, in many cases, consigned the fruits of experience to the dustbin.
Development work on what is a radically different race car got underway even earlier
than usual. Indeed, the concept phase for the BMW Sauber F1.09 began back in
February 2008. The 2009 car cuts a very different figure from all of its predecessors.
Its nose is higher and much wider than before. The huge front wing consists of three
elements and stretches across the full width of the car. The rear wing, on the other
hand, is considerably slimmer - in line with the new regulations - and stands
unusually high against the onrushing air. Intricate aerodynamic add-ons, such as air
deflectors and cooling air exits, have been reduced to a minimum. Another eye-
catching feature are the sidepods, which are now higher at the front.
2009 also marks the return of treadless tyres (slicks) to Formula One. These will
deliver increased front-end grip, which makes moving more weight to the nose of the
car an attractive proposition. Counteracting this, however, is another new
development which the teams have the option of introducing in the upcoming
season: KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System). The component parts of this
technology add extra weight at the rear of the car. Alongside aerodynamics and the
optimum use of the slick tyres, the integration of KERS represents another key
challenge for the engineers. To this end, the front axle has been modified and the rear
axle is a new design.
Willy Rampf is responsible for the F1.09 concept and will oversee operations at the
race track in his capacity as Technical Coordinator. Managing Director of BMW
Sauber AG Walter Riedl will lead the technical department at Hinwil in Switzerland
and has responsibility for the development of the car.
While the chassis is the work of the Hinwil team, the KERS technology has been
developed in Munich. There, Markus Duesmann (Head of Powertrain) and his team
also have the job of preparing the BMW V8 engine for the extra mileage stipulated in
the regulations. Each driver is allocated eight engines for the total of 17 races in
2009.
It may be all-change in terms of the engineering behind the car, but the men behind
the wheel will be the same as in 2008. The BMW Sauber F1 Team will once again
line up on the grid with the Pole Robert Kubica and German Nick Heidfeld as its driver
pairing. And 26-year-old Austrian Christian Klien also stays with the team as test and
reserve driver.
The team's race drivers both demonstrated impressive reliability in 2008. Kubica
racked up the most points for the team. The Pole added his name to the list of
Formula One race winners in Canada, brought home the team's first pole position in
Bahrain and also notched up three second places and three third-place finishes
during the course of the season. For 2009 he is hoping "that we are as strong at the
start of the season as in 2008 and that we can maintain this level of performance up
to the final race."
Kubica's team-mate Heidfeld, meanwhile, collected four second places and recorded
the team's first two fastest race laps in 2008. Looking ahead to the new season, he
says: "The team started work early on the wide range of changes. I'm confident that
we're in good shape and am looking forward to the first race, when we'll see whether
the balance of power has shifted at all."
The BMW Sauber F1 Team has conducted intensive preparations for 2009 as it
attempts to achieve its latest ambitious aim. These have included early testing with
KERS and new aero elements. "In the three years since the BMW Sauber F1 Team
was formed, we have always met the goals we set ourselves and are confident that
we can do so again this season," explains Theissen. However, no matter how
motivated the team may be and how much development work they have behind
them, gauging their progress against the competition has never been so difficult - as
Theissen acknowledges: "You can plan your level of performance, but not your
results."
-credit: bmw sauber
