Formula 1 News

BMW Sauber: 2008 Turkish GP preview 

Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director: “Our targets for the Turkish Grand Prix are clear: we want to consolidate our position among the leaders, where Ferrari is currently the yardstick. For the fifth race of the season we will be making detail improvements to the F1.08 again. The layout of this ultra-modern circuit on the Asian side of Istanbul is a real achievement and presents a true challenge. The race has been moved from the height of summer to this earlier date, which should make quite a difference to the demands on the teams and their material. Last year we had to contend with air temperatures of 36 degrees on race day. For the Formula One teams and their partners, an international metropolis like Istanbul is an excellent platform. For the first time in the 2008 season we have the BMW Sauber F1 Team Pit Lane Park in tow. It gives fans a chance to grasp – in the truest sense of the word – what they can normally only see from a distance. We have significantly extended the Park again, which now has space to accommodate even more visitors. Plus it now features new high-tech exhibits with which visitors are invited to experiment.”

Nick Heidfeld: “I’m looking forward to the race in Istanbul, particularly to turn eight, the main feature of the track. It earned its fame in the very first grand prix because it is so tricky and causes plenty of spins and action. It’s a very long, very fast corner with several apexes. Then you need a good top speed for the long back straight with its right-hand kink. But apart from the race track, I’m looking forward to Istanbul itself. This city is one huge international metropolis in a totally unique location. There’s a lot more to discover there than our schedule ever allows.”

Robert Kubica: “I don’t have the best memories of the races in Istanbul Park, as last year and in 2006 they really didn’t go at all well. Of course this time I hope my luck will change and I shall have a strong race. The race track itself is pretty interesting, and in turn eight especially we face a lot of g-forces. Istanbul Park is one of the tracks where you have to find the right balance between high and low-speed corners.”

source: BMW Sauber