BMW Sauber F1 Team - European Grand Prix

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   BMW Sauber F1 Team - European Grand Prix - Preview
		      08-15-2008 Press Release
		      Reinvigorated
after the brief summer break, the BMW Sauber F1 Team is looking forward
to the Formula One debut in the Mediterranean port of Valencia, the
first of two street circuit premieres this season. The second is the
night race in Singapore at the end of September.

Although Valencia possesses a permanent race track � the Circuito
Ricardo Tormo � it was decided that, rather than upgrading it to
Formula One standard, a course running through the city and along the
harbour would be used instead. A backdrop of bobbing yachts may be
reminiscent of the Monaco Grand Prix, but the circuit is more in
keeping with modern requirements and does not emulate the confined
conditions found in the Principality. There are several sections where
the F1 cars are expected to reach around 300 km/h. The Formula 3 and GT
races held on the last weekend of July served as a �dress rehearsal�
for the forthcoming Grand Prix.

There was no opportunity for Formula One testing in Valencia, so
the BMW Sauber F1 Team has prepared with the help of simulation. Based
on the circuit data, the anticipated ideal line was plotted with the
aid of a computer program, while lap times were simulated in varying
vehicle configurations. For the mechanical set-up, the weight
distribution as well as spring and damper settings were determined, and
based on the calculated speeds, the gear ratios were also fixed. Taking
downforce levels and track characteristics into account, the lap
simulation was able to establish the extent of brake wear, and on this
basis the brake materials and cooling requirements were determined.
Grip levels of the asphalt surface and tyre wear, on the other hand,
can only be verified on location.

Valencia has long cast off its former image of an industrial port
city and has emerged as one of Europe�s cultural metropolises. The
Marina of Spain�s third-largest city, with a population of around
850,000, has been transformed into a stylish and fashionable complex on
the back of the America�s Cup held there in 2007. The F1 circuit leads
across a bridge that links the North and South Marina. On the south
side, the cars drive along the quayside, past the historic fish market
and towards the suburb of Grao. They then briefly follow the course of
the River Turia before braking into a hairpin bend, following which the
route snakes back towards the waterfront. After a series of S-bends,
the cars take a left turn and enter the start-finish straight, bringing
them back to the harbour and home, the team garages being set up in the
port buildings.

Nick Heidfeld: 

�I�m always pleased when a new race track turns up in the calendar,
and I�m particularly keen to experience Valencia. It will be an
authentic street circuit in the sense that it runs through the town
centre, unlike the Melbourne or Montreal tracks. In terms of its charms
and challenges, the Valencia race will probably come closest to the
Monaco Grand Prix. I really like Valencia, which I�ve visited many
times, of course. We do a lot of testing on the permanent race track in
Cheste and we�ve rolled out our new Formula One car in Valencia on
several occasions. The first few metres in a brand-new car are always a
very special experience.

�Early this year I spent a few days in Valencia with my family
between the rollout and the next test. We had a great time, went to the
beach, and in town there�s a dried-out riverbed that has nature parks
and playgrounds. That was very nice, especially for the children.
Valencia is also a great place for shopping and eating out, needless to
say, and I love the contrast between its historic and futuristic
architecture. I�m looking forward to the weekend.�

Robert Kubica:

�I am very much looking forward to Valencia as I am a big fan of
street circuits in general. They are very demanding as they are often
bumpy and the street surface changes. When you make a mistake you
easily run into barriers. Anyway, Valencia will not be a complete
street circuit. There will be lots of run-off areas for safety reasons.
The FIA puts a lot of effort into safety, which is good. 

�On a street circuit it is of major importance to have a good basic
set-up which is easy to drive. The lap time improvement has to be
gained step by step, you cannot drive in too wild a style. Also, in
terms of the racing line you have to approach this gradually. It is
very important to walk the track before driving it the first time to
get a feeling for the surface and the layout.�

Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director: 

�The short summer break after the race in Budapest has benefited
everyone. Now we are embarking on the remaining three European races
and four overseas GPs with renewed vigour. Our aim is to continue on
from the good results of the first half of the season. We still have a
few arrows in our quiver and we aim to land one or other hit.

�The European Grand Prix around the port area of Valencia is new to
the programme this year. We are very much looking forward to the race
and the city, particularly as BMW has some close associations with
Valencia. The Formula BMW Racing Center there serves as the training
site for our up-and-coming young talent in the Formula BMW series
around the world. Valencia is by tradition the venue for rolling out
our new F1 car, and beyond that city races always make for a unique
atmosphere. We await the new circuit with keen anticipation.�

Willy Rampf, Technical Director:

�Valencia is a new venue in the calendar and as such poses a
particular challenge, not least because it�s a street circuit. Not that
it�s a slow one � the drivers will be exceeding the 300 km/h mark on
the fastest section. With the help of our simulation programs we are in
a position to reliably calculate the required downforce levels in
advance as well as brake wear and gear ratios. That means we will start
out with a good basic set-up. 

�If you compare Valencia with Monaco, you�re talking about two
street circuits but with very distinctive characters and very different
challenges for the cars. In Valencia we will be racing with a lot of
downforce, but not with the maximum that Monaco demands.�

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