BMW Sauber – Barcelona Test – Day four

On the final day of pre-season testing Kamui Kobayashi was again on duty for the BMW Sauber F1 Team. A gear box problem cost about two hours of track time before lunch. In the afternoon the team tried to catch up with the programme, but had to contend with an early stop to its running. Nevertheless, Technical Director, Willy Rampf, has drawn a positive conclusion after a total of 16 test days.

Weather
Dry track, partly overcast, air 15 – 18 °C, track 15 – 25 °C

Circuit length
4.655 km

Driver
Kamui Kobayashi (JP)

Chassis / engine
BMW Sauber C29-01 / Ferrari

Kilometres today
311.885 km (67 laps)

Fastest lap
1:20.911 min

Kamui Kobayashi:
“We didn’t manage to achieve the expected mileage today because of technical issues. However, for me it was still a good day because we ran through several procedures for the first race weekend. As I said yesterday, these things are very important for me and I can see I’m improving. I feel ready for Bahrain.”

Willy Rampf (Technical Director):
“After the car ran smoothly during the earlier tests, unfortunately our final day of testing was hampered by reliability problems. In the morning it was a shifting problem, which needs to be analysed, and at the end it was a problem in the fuel system. Certainly both can be solved before Bahrain. In Barcelona we have been testing new aero parts, which confirmed the performance we expected after the wind tunnel tests. We also concentrated further on getting the best out of the mechanical set-ups. We have defined the Bahrain package now and feel ready for the season to kick off. The team has four very busy weeks behind it and we are very much looking forward to finally going racing. We are happy with the overall performance of the car, considering the conditions under which the lap times were achieved.”

What comes next
The next time the team will be out on track will be for the first race weekend in Bahrain (12th to 14th March).

24-Feb-10: US F1 Inspected by the FIA

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This is F1 Minute and today is the 24th February 2010.

Today, Autosport is reporting that US F1 are being inspected by the FIA, as the doubts about their being able to join the grid in Bahrain keep on growing. Charlie Whiting has apparently been dispatched to Charlotte to see how they are getting on. The FIA haven’t commented on whether this is fact or not, and there is plenty of other speculation surrounding the team as well, including that main sponsor Chad Hurley may have left for Campos instead, or that they may be trying to merge the new teams together. Given the uncertainty, US F1 driver Jose Maria Lopez has confirmed that his manager is in talks with the new bosses at Campos to try and make sure he has a spot on the 2010 grid.

Elsewhere, James Key, who was the technical director at Force India, has taken up the role at BMW Sauber for this year replacing Willy Rampf. He said: “There is significant potential at Sauber, and with the ever-changing world of F1, I think the team is very well placed at present.”

That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

BMW Sauber – Willy Rampf hands over top slot to James Key

In April the BMW Sauber F1 Team will see a change that has been long in the planning: after ten years as Technical Director in Hinwil, Willy Rampf (56) will hand over to Englishman James Key (38), who takes up his new position on 1st April. Willy Rampf will be leaving the team at the end of April.

“The first time I saw the facilities in Hinwil, I knew straightaway the kind of opportunities open to me there,” says Key. “The wind tunnel, the supercomputer, the machine park and the expertise of the team were extremely persuasive. There is significant potential at Sauber, and with the ever-changing world of F1 I think the team is very well placed at present. I am grateful to my old team for the past 12 years I spent with them, but now I very much look forward to starting my new job. I would like to thank Peter Sauber and the team for this great opportunity.”

After two years as a designer with Lotus, Key launched his Formula One career in 1998 as a data engineer with Jordan, where he went on to become Takuma Sato’s race engineer. After a year in the aerodynamics department he was made head of vehicle dynamics. Soon after the Midland Group took over the team, he was appointed Technical Director in season 2005, at the age of just 33. He retained this position when the team became SpykerF1 and ultimately Force India. Key was in charge of the VJM02 with which the private team took a pole position, a podium place and a fastest race lap in 2009.

James Key was born on 14th January 1972. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nottingham. He is currently preparing his move from Warwick, UK to Switzerland. Key is married with three children.

Team Principal Peter Sauber notes: “Despite his young age, James looks back on more than a decade of experience in Formula One – and the 2009 car in particular proved quite a revelation. James comes from a private team and knows how to work around a limited budget. With us he will enjoy high-level technical opportunities. Willy and James will be devoting April to the handover. I have known about Willy’s plans for some time, of course,” Sauber continues, “and fully understand his decision. He has achieved great things for our team. I had managed to get him on board as race engineer for season 1994. Then in 1998 he temporarily left the team to pursue his Paris-Dakar Rallye dream and ran BMW’s motorcycle involvement – a successful interlude, as we know. In 1999 he returned to the fold with the clear aim of becoming Technical Director. It was practically his first Formula One car that was out on the grid in 2001, and we finished fourth in the Constructors’ Championship as a privately-run team. We have Willy to thank for a great deal.”

Willy Rampf said: “When you’re Technical Director of a Formula One team, the job comes first and everything else is subordinate to it. I have done my job with a passion for ten years, but now it’s time to hand over the baton. Peter Sauber gave me the chance to enter this league of motor sport and I greatly value all my years spent working with the team.”

Some Light on the Matter

The VJM03 sits in the Force India garage, awaiting testing in Jerez last week. The team’s former technical director James Key was confirmed today at BMW Sauber, replacing the outgoing Willy Rampf. Key said that with the ever-changing world of F1, and the team set up as they are, he’s relishing the challenge and thinks they’re in a good position to do well.

Credit: Force India F1

Sauber – Interview with Technical Director Willy Rampf

BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Kamui Kobayashi racked up exactly 1,001 kilometres in the first test of the 2010 season in Valencia. Technical Director Willy Rampf gives his initial verdict.

Question: How happy are you with the reliability of the BMW Sauber C29 after the first test?

Willy Rampf: “All in all we can be satisfied with the reliability of the car. We completed 1,000 kilometres over the three days without encountering any major problems. Of course, we have to make some adjustments and modifications, but that’s what tests are there for.”

Question: Are these all things that can be rectified ahead of the first race of the season in Bahrain or even before the next test?

Rampf: “We will have worked through most of the points before the next test in Jerez. There’s nothing that we need to be seriously concerned about. For example, the rear of the engine cover was singed by the exhaust gases, so we’ll be using a different material for that.”

Question: How are things looking in terms of the car’s performance and competitiveness?

Rampf: “That is even more difficult to assess this year than in previous years. All we can say is that our car is delivering the performance expected based on our simulations and measurements in the wind tunnel. Vastly differing fuel loads make it impossible to draw an absolute comparison with other teams’ cars.”

Question: What are the drivers telling you about the handling of the C29?

Rampf: “The drivers’ comments have been generally positive regarding factors such as braking stability, traction and the car’s responses under widely varying fuel loads.”

Question: The fuel load of the car – and therefore its weight – will vary hugely in 2010. Has car set-up been a problem?

Rampf: “I wouldn’t call it a problem, but it’s certainly a challenge. The cars will run a minimal fuel load in qualifying and then line up for the race with a full tank, but changes to set-up will not be allowed. Finding the right compromise here will be absolutely critical.”

Question: What has changed as a result of the slimmer front tyres?

Rampf: “Generally speaking, their effect is less pronounced than expected. It’s clear that the cars have a greater tendency to understeer, which we can balance out to a certain degree by shifting the weight further back and making the necessary changes to the chassis set-up.”

Question: How is the working relationship between the drivers and the team?

Rampf: “Both drivers are new to the team and so we’re all still getting to know each other. However, the working relationship between the drivers and team has got off to a very good start. With Pedro you can see that his vast well of experience has given him a broad base of technical knowledge, which is extremely valuable for all involved. Kamui gets his impressions across very quickly, which means he can give the engineers the information they need to work out the changes required. All in all, the drivers and engineers are already working together very productively.”

BMW Sauber – Test in Valencia Day 2

On the second test day of the 2010 Formula One season, Kamui Kobayashi debuted at the wheel of the BMW Sauber C29 Ferrari. Once again the Valencia circuit in Cheste provided very good test conditions.

Weather
Sunny all day, air 5-15 °C, track 6-18 °C

Circuit length
4.004 km

Driver
Kamui Kobayashi (JP)

Chassis / engine
BMW Sauber C29-01 / Ferrari

Kilometres today
384.384 km (96 laps)

Fastest lap
1:12.056 min

Kamui Kobayashi
“It was definitely a good day. We had no problems with the car and covered a lot of mileage. The car felt good. I enjoyed driving a lot and also working with the team. It was a difficult winter for everyone but they seem to have done a good job; I want to thank them for that. Now it is important to keep working hard for the remaining test opportunities.”

Willy Rampf (Technical Director)
“It was another positive day of testing for us. First of all Kamui familiarised himself with the car and the track. We then continued with some basic set-up work and ran the car on different fuel levels. The latter is very important for us in order to be able to compare the results from the track with our results from track simulation. As yesterday, the car was reliable, which enabled us to complete our programme as scheduled.”

What comes next
Tomorrow, Wednesday, will be the third and final day of testing in Valencia. Pedro de la Rosa will be taking over driving duties again.

30-May-09: BMW Look Ahead to Turkey

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Today is the 30th May 2009 and this is F1 Minute.

With their 2010 entry out the way for now, BMW are looking ahead to Turkey, and plan to introduce their version of the double diffuser. Head of Engineering, Willy Rampf says: “Since the F1.09 concept was not designed for this, we had to make a number of aerodynamic adjustments. There are modifications to the front wings, side bargeboard, rim shields and the rear part of the engine cover. We expect this to take us a step forward, although we know that our rivals are not standing still.”

Meanwhile, Max Mosley’s competitor to GP2, called Formula Two got underway today in Valencia. I don’t intend to cover it within the minute, but it’s worth noting that the official site had streaming video along with live timing, Bernie please take note. Martin Brundle’s son took part, finishing 8th, with Robert Wickens winning the opening round driving for Red Bull.

That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.

BMW Sauber F1 Team – Malaysian GP – Race

Weather: dry at the start, heavy rain, 24-30°air, 24-40°C track, humidity 75-97 percent

In a dramatic PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix, BMW Sauber F1 Team driver, Nick Heidfeld, finished second. After the race was started in dry conditions, heavy rain forced the race director to red flag it early. Robert Kubica, was unlucky and had to stop on lap two due to an engine problem. Because, as required by the regulations, the drivers were not able to complete 75 percent of the race distance they will only receive half the points.

Nick Heidfeld: 2nd
BMW Sauber F1.09-04 / BMW P86/9 (KERS)
Fastest lap: 1:39.084 min on lap 17 (10th fastest overall)
“I’m obviously very happy to be second after starting from tenth. It was a really extreme and challenging race today. I had a good start but also quite a heavy car, which meant racing was not easy for me. When it was obvious it would rain soon I pitted seven laps earlier than planned, and we decided to go on full rain tyres. They wore down quickly because the heavy rain didn’t come. The team kept telling me “stay out, heavy rain expected”, but the tyres felt almost like slicks. For those laps intermediates would have been much quicker, but who could know that. When it finally poured down it was the right decision to stop the race. It was absolutely impossible to drive. I spun behind the safety car, not only because of aquaplaning with the tyres but also with the underfloor. I’m happy for our team that we can now bring home at least one proper result from the first two races of the season.”

Robert Kubica: DNF
BMW Sauber F1.09-035/ BMW P86/9
“When I started on the formation lap, my engine produced strange noises and there was very little power. I started the race, which under the circumstances was not easy, and continued to drive. I asked my team what I should do, but before I got an answer the car caught fire and I stopped.”

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
“The race was as chaotic as we expected based on the weather forecast. For Robert, the race was already over at the start because his engine didn’t respond to the throttle. According to an early analysis the reason was a leakage in the pneumatic system. Because of the weather forecast we put Nick on a heave fuel load. This enabled him to stay out until the rain started. He switched to rain tyres at the right moment and was able to finish the race. In extremely difficult conditions he managed to achieve the best possible result. Compliments go to Nick and the whole crew, who worked without any mistakes.”

Willy Rampf (Head of Engineering):
“This was not a race for poor nerves! For Robert, the GP was over at the start. That’s a shame, because he was in a strong position. Nick started on a heavy fuel load. The strategy to leave him out for a long time paid off. This was brave, but in the end it worked out. In very difficult conditions he managed to keep the car on the track and to capture a podium finish. Compliments are due to the whole team who worked perfectly in chaotic conditions.”

BMW Sauber F1 Team – Malaysian GP – Qualifying

Weather: dry, 33-29°air, 47-36°C track, 63-80 % humidity

In the heat of the Sepang International Circuit Robert Kubica qualified eighth for the PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix. His team-mate in the BMW Sauber F1 Team, Nick Heidfeld, just missed the top ten qualifying and came 11th. Due to penalties for other drivers, Robert gains two and Nick one position.

Robert Kubica:
BMW Sauber F1.09-05 / BMW P86/9
Qualifying: 8th, 1.36.106 min (3rd Practice: 11th, 1.36.563 min)
“I’m satisfied with what I was able to achieve today. Although we didn’t make any major changes after free practice the car was bottoming quite a lot, which made it unstable and therefore not easy to drive. I did what I could in the corners, but the straights are long here and give the drivers who are using a KERS a major advantage. I have to start on the dirty side of the track plus I have some cars with a KERS behind me, which will make the start very interesting.”

Nick Heidfeld:
BMW Sauber F1.09-04 / BMW P86/9 (KERS)
Qualifying: 11th, 1.34.769 min in Q2 / (3rd Practice: 15th 1.37.026 min)
“Of course I’m very disappointed. I looked fairly safe in Q2 when I was seventh, but on my second quick run I had traffic on the out lap. Two cars in front of me and one behind meant that I couldn’t go at the pace needed to heat the tyres up, and then the important lap wasn’t good enough. After we did the comparison yesterday I was using the KERS today and it helped, especially in sector one where I was the fastest car for most of the time.“

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
“The rain that was expected for qualifying didn’t come, and the result confirms the picture we already saw emerging in Melbourne. It remains difficult to break into the ranks of the teams with the two step diffusers. Having said this, we have to be satisfied with the positions we have achieved. Due to two drivers having penalties that will drop them down the grid, Robert and Nick will be starting from sixth and tenth. For tomorrow there is also a high chance of rain, which means the order could get mixed up during the race.”

Willy Rampf (Head of Engineering):
“We knew it would be very difficult, but nevertheless we hoped to get both our drivers into Q3. Unfortunately that didn’t work out with Nick. Because of traffic on his final out lap he was not able to heat his tyres up properly. Robert was consistently doing well, and did the best he could. Being sixth is an acceptable grid position with our strategy.”

BMW Sauber F1 Team – Malaysian GP – Practice

Weather: dry, 28-33°C air, 35-48°C track, 50-70 % humidity

The BMW Sauber F1 Team focussed on race preparation in the two free practice sessions for the PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix, with both running without any technical problems.

Robert Kubica:
BMW Sauber F1.09-05 / BMW P86/9
1st Practice: 13th, 1.37.039 min / 2nd Practice: 17th, 1.37.267 min
“Today we concentrated totally on race preparation, and particularly on tyre comparisons. The specifications that Bridgestone have brought to Malaysia are very different from the ones we used in Melbourne, and obviously Sepang also has different characteristics. In addition, the track temperatures were much higher here, so it was a new situation. We gathered a lot of data and have the basis to use the tyres to their full potential during the race. While we were doing long-runs today, tomorrow we will focus on the single lap performance.”

Nick Heidfeld:
BMW Sauber F1.09-04 / BMW P86/9
1st Practice: 18th, 1.37.640 min (KERS) / 2. Practice: 20 th 1.37.930 min
”Certainly the results don’t look good, but in Melbourne it was a similar picture on Friday. Nevertheless we do have some work to do in order to improve the balance of the car. In the first session I was running with the KERS and in the second I didn’t use the device. Using it makes a huge difference to the car’s balance, but without it there is the loss of the boost. This was the experience we wanted and why we took it out for this session. Now we will throw everything into the mix – lap times, data and my feelings – and then decide whether or not to use the KERS here.”

Willy Rampf (Head of Engineering):
”We stuck to our planned programme today, and concentrated on race preparation. One focus point was the tyre comparison on the long-runs. Apart from that we tested two different options with Nick today – in the first session he drove with the KERS and in the second without. We did this for two reasons: On the one hand we wanted to get a direct comparison and on the other hand we wanted to practice changing in between the two sessions. We did not have any technical problems.”

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