Three-driver campaign for BMW.

Although third cars will no longer be used in Formula One next season, BMW Sauber has confirmed that it still intends to give all three drivers time behind the wheel on race weekends in 2007.

In an effort to reduce costs, third cars have been outlawed for the new season, although teams will instead be able to rotate three nominated drivers between the two race cars during the two extended 90 minute sessions that will take place on a Friday.

Although third cars will no longer be used in Formula One next season, BMW Sauber has confirmed that it still intends to give all three drivers time behind the wheel on race weekends in 2007.

In an effort to reduce costs, third cars have been outlawed for the new season, although teams will instead be able to rotate three nominated drivers between the two race cars during the two extended 90 minute sessions that will take place on a Friday.

While that would lead to teams needing to work on setting a car up for two different drivers over the course of the day, it will allow a reserve driver to get some seat team in case they were then needed for the race itself, something BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen admitted was in his teams thinking in deciding to give track time in 2007 to Nick Heidfeld, Robert Kubica and reserve and test driver Sebastien Vettel.

"We will take the opportunity to have the third driver in the car on Fridays," he said. "It is the clear intention not to have Sebastien here merely as a reserve driver, but to give him the opportunity to work through a race weekend.

"From a team perspective it is more important to have the three drivers in the game and that means the third drivers should not just be at test venues but at race weekends. If anything happens to the GP drivers, Sebastien has to step in immediately and has to perform."

Vettel impressed during his time in the third car this season, setting the pace in Friday practice at both the Turkish and Italian Grand Prix.

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