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BMW aces achieve 'the maximum' in Istanbul |
Following a disappointing qualifying session – in which Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld had lined up just fifth and ninth respectively, comparatively lowly in the light of recent performances – BMW-Sauber fought back to notch up nine points on race day in Istanbul, to keep the Munich and Hinwil-based outfit ahead of McLaren-Mercedes in the constructors' standings.
Having at one point been led to believe he was racing Lewis Hamilton during the Turkish Grand Prix, Kubica ultimately came home almost 20 seconds adrift of the second-placed Briton in fourth, with team-mate Heidfeld giving himself a better 31st birthday present than he had managed the previous day as a committed drive secured him fifth spot, 17 seconds further in arrears but comfortably ahead of Fernando Alonso behind.
“The pace of the car was much better than in the third qualifying session,” Kubica affirmed. “I was happy with its balance. I made a very good start and managed to gain two positions. I was then racing Kimi Räikkonen, but he pitted later and overtook me at the pit-stop.
“I was then a little bit slower than the three guys in front of me, but quicker than the rest of the pack. This was the maximum possible for me today.”
“This is what I hoped for from ninth on the grid,” added Heidfeld. “To finish fifth was the best I could achieve today. I wanted to overtake Jarno Trulli at the start and this worked, then I gained two more positions during the pit-stops. After the first stint I had a pretty lonely race and in the end I was even able to reduce the engine revs.”
While the Bavarian squad in fact eked out a further point advantage in its battle with McLaren for second place in the constructors' title chase, the team is aware that it was very much third-rate compared to Ferrari and McLaren in Turkey, when for the majority of the campaign to-date it has looked like the
Scuderia's closest challenger. BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen remained in positive spirits at the end of the weekend, however.
“Taking our starting positions of fifth and ninth into account, I am very happy with the result,” the German underlined. “Both drivers gained positions at the start, though Kimi Raikkonen was able to overtake Robert during his first pit-stop as we expected.
“On the other hand, Nick gained two places during his first pit-stop. Fourth and fifth and nine championship points underline the team's performance today.”
“We have scored nine important points,” agreed technical director Willy Rampf. “This is more than can be expected if you start from fifth and ninth, therefore we are happy with the results. Both drivers had trouble-free races with no errors. Now we are confident as we look forward to Monaco.”
