Zoom First tests for Klien with the BMW Sauber team

Running alone at the Valencia circuit, the BMW Sauber team today ran new test driver Christian Klien for the first time as the Austrian familiarised himself with the F1.08 and working procedures of the team.

In the morning Klien completed 32 laps in damp conditions, he also did several practice starts and pitstops. In far from ideal conditions, Klien put in 32 laps with a best time of 1:23.857s.

When the sun finally came out in the afternoon regular drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica took over again for the third day of testing in Valencia. Both continued to work on the set-up of the car. The duo proved closely matched in the dry conditions, with Heidfeld recording a 1:12.258s best while Kubica was 0.035s slower.

The team will be back in action in Barcelona from Monday in what is the final group test of the off-season.

Willy Rampf, Technical Director
"Apart from Thursday afternoon weather conditions were far from perfect during the three days. This made work difficult for the engineers. Nevertheless, this was an important and positive test for the team."

"We were able to complete a race simulation with both cars including pitstops without any problems. This underlines the high level of reliability of the new car. In addition we tested some newly developed parts. We will do more set-up work with the F1.08 next week during the final preseason test in Barcelona."

E.A. © CAPSIS International
Source: BMW Sauber