“Our performances in the first three rounds of the World Championship have given us a very good start to the season and we have used the time since the Bahrain Grand Prix to fit in some intensive development work,” he noted. “Our rivals will certainly have been doing much the same, though, and the burning question is whether the balance of power has shifted as a result. Our aim is very clear - to maintain our position as the third-best team on the grid.”
BMW Sauber technical director, Willy Rampf meanwhile added that while testing was productive last week, it doesn't mean they won't have to do any set-up work in practice on Friday.
“Barcelona is one of the most popular testing venues for the teams, which might lead you to think that all the cars will automatically have a good set-up as a result. The fact is, however, that this course reacts very strongly to fluctuations in temperature, and often the wind also has a big impact,” he explained. “All of which means that the track can present a different challenge time after time.”
As for the progress they made during the recent test, Rampf reckons the work done will stand them in good stead: “In testing we tried out various new aerodynamics and chassis components, as well as modifications to the car's electronics – and these have yielded very promising results. I'm, therefore, approaching the race in confident mood,” he added.
In a separate development meanwhile BMW has revealed that race regulars
Nick Heidfeld and
Robert Kubica will run the whole of Friday's two 90-minute practice sessions ‘until further notice', ruling
Sebastien Vettel and
Timo Glock out of any participation for the time being.
Toyota – Ralf Schumacher (#11), Jarno Trulli (#12):
Toyota has been something of an enigma through the first three races of the year, showing decent qualifying pace by making the top ten on a consistent basis, but not really being a factor for serious points on race day. Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher have combined to score at every round - with the Italian putting in a feisty drive in Bahrain, but one suspects that there is more to come from the TF107.
