Klien reported no technical problems for BMW throughout the day and hailed the afternoon as very productive. Meanwhile, Raikkonen was trying out different tyre compounds as the Scuderia attempted to to learn as much as they could about the slick Bridgestone rubber as possible. Jarno Trulli completed two race distances in the new TF109 and also tested out the different tyre compounds available as well as working on fine-tuning the set up.

Today was a very productive day. We collected a lot of data and I even did a long run at the end of the session. Again we didn’t have a single technical problem, which is very encouraging. Christian Klien.

We made it through way more than two race distances today – in fact I think this is my personal best for mileage at a test day. So I’d say this was a positive and productive day. There were a lot of items to test on a full programme and we got through everything. We made good progress and we were consistently competitive all day long. This has been a good start to our second week here. Jarno Trulli.

Testing at Bahrain will continue tomorrow while other teams head to Barcelona to test at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Bahrain Test Day One Results Table		Lap Time Fastest Time Set	Laps Set Number Laps Set
1.	Christian Klien BMW	1m32.544	131 Laps
2.	Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari	1m32.804	116 Laps
3.	Jarno Trulli Toyota	1m33.064	141 Laps

Original article by BlogF1.

Bahrain Test Day One: A Productive Day For All

Although Klien receives his pay-cheque from the German auto-manufacturer, one cannot hide honesty and Klien’s remarks were more about the way tyhe new rules have governed the way the cars are going to look, including the large front wing and skinny rear wing.

To me, for the moment, it’s the worst [looking] Formula One car I have ever seen. It just doesn’t fit together. But we will get used to it. There will be a lot of modifications until the first race in March. Christian Klien.

Although the concept F1.09 isn’t necessarily a looker, Klien was impressed with its handling, saying that the return of slick tyres has helped to compensate for some of the grip lost through the removal of downforce-generating winglets.

It drives quite well, actually. As you saw, the laptimes are quite good already. There is still a few improvements coming over the winter. Basically it’s quite a lot less downforce but with the slick tyres it compensates quite a lot.

Especially in the slow-speed corners you get much more grip with the slick tyres. High-speed corners are a bit more tricky. But the main problem today was the cold temperatures. Christian Klien.

The cars look strange because of new regulations being introduced, all hoped to improve racing. However, looking back the 2008 season, I was perfectly happy with the level of racing, and despite a couple of dull races, the season generally kept me excited. And further to this, Klien isn’t so sure that the changes to the cars will actually provide better racing.

Even with these aerodynamics it’s still not possible to drive right behind another car. We will see in the first few races. It’s more of a problem to not knock off the front wing at the first corner. Christian Klien.

Klien isn’t the only one who thinks this, as McLaren tester Pedro De La Rosa recently joined the camp who are saying that the new regulations aren’t going to revolutionise Formula One. However, as Klien says, we will have to wait and see next March.

Original article by BlogF1.

Even Christian Klien Doesn’t Like The Look Of The New BMW

Christian Klien, BMW

Robert Kubica, BMW

Robert Kubica & Christian Klien, BMW

Robert Kubica & Christian Klien, BMW

Christian Klien, BMW

Christian Klien, BMW

Christian Klien, BMW

Robert Kubica, BMW

Robert Kubica, BMW

Robert Kubica, BMW

Christian Klien, BMW

Robert Kubica, BMW

Robert Kubica, BMW

Robert Kubica, BMW

Robert Kubica, BMW

Christian Klien, BMW

Christian Klien, BMW

Christian Klien, BMW

Robert Kubica, BMW

Christian Klien, BMW

Original article by BlogF1.

Barcelona Test Day One: BMW’s Day In Images

BMW are improving at a very steady rate and earlier this year, Polish-driver Robert Kubica took his and the team’s maiden victory. However, while Kubica has enjoyed a relatively good year, Heidfeld has endured troubles, mainly centered around qualifying and generating heat in the Bridgestone tyres. During the races though, Heidfeld’s race-craft and experience have shone through on many occasions and the team have done well yet again in retaining their pair of drivers.

Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld ave quite different styles when it comes to driving, and this may attribute to the incinsistencies in the results this season. Heidfeld has suffered the brunt of disappointment, but it should be noted that Kubica has also experienced troubles with the F1.08. Despite this though, both are very talented and combining experience with youth is a good way to go, in my opinion.

We see Nick and Robert as a strong driver pairing and Christian as an experienced test driver. We are in no doubt that we will again achieve our ambitious aims with them in the team’s fourth year. Mario Theissen.

The former Sauber and Williams driver was pleased with the announcement, and spoke of achieving everything he and the team set out to do this season. Of course, team mate Kubica has gone one better, but providing the F1.09 is a continuation of the squad’s improvement, then there is little reason why Heidfeld cannot take his maiden victory next year.

I’ve always said that I was happy to stay with BMW Sauber because we’ve managed to achieve what we set out to do at this stage and I really hope that we will be battling it out for the title itself next year.

There have been times this season when neither I nor the team could honestly say that we were satisfied with the way things were going, but we have always pulled together and come through. Nick Heidfeld.

This news almost wraps up the silly-season for this year. Ferrari, McLaren, BMW, Williams, Toyota, Red Bull Racing and Force India are sorted for pilots. The only seats yet to be confirmed are the two at Renault, the two at STR and one at Honda.

Original article by BlogF1.

BMW Retain Nick Heidfeld, Robert Kubica & Christian Klien For 2009

Original article by BlogF1.

Caption Contest: #39

BMW will use Christian Klien for their 2008 testing duties, the Austrian driver having moved out of Honda to make way for Alex Wurz. Klien has been attempting to kick start his career following his unceremonious sacking from Red Bull two years ago, but the driver has been facing difficulties and has chosen to spend another year on the bench for a Formula One team. He had tested for Force India in December alongside Giancarlo Fisichella, Ralf Schumacher and Vitantonio Liuzzi. However, the Indian team chose the two Italians to work with Adrian Sutil, and so Klien went elsewhere for a drive.

With Christian we have signed on a driver who is familiar with the format of a Grand Prix weekend and can step into the breach right away should one of our team drivers have to back out. Mario Thiessen.

Marco Asmer has been already driven the BMW, testing for the squad in December 2007 and January this year. Hailing from Estonia, Asmer took the British Formula Three title last year, taking the title with three races still to run. Marco will become BMW’s junior test driver and will dovetail his duties for the Swiss team with another F3 campaign.

Marko has driven our car four times since December 4th and has made steady progress. He has worked in a concentrated, focused and calm fashion. The feedback from the engineers bears positive testimony to him, and the chemistry between him and the team is right as well. Mario Thiessen.

Original article by BlogF1.

BMW Sign Christian Klien & Marco Asmer

An announcement earlier from Force India states that Fisichella will test with the team in Spain next week, thus strongly suggesting that Renault have allowed him to do this as it is in everybody’s best interests. Alongside Fisichella at the Jerez test will be ex-Toyota driver and former Grand Prix winner Ralf Schumacher. Schumacher stated earlier in the season that he was in talks with various teams about a 2008 drive, but his primary target, Scuderia Toro Rosso, ended up plumping with Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Bourdais. Still looking for a seat, Force India have said that they will offer the German a run in their Ferrari-powered car next week.

Although the former-Spyker team have undoubtedly received a huge investment from new owner and Indian entrepreneur Vijay Mallya, I’m not so sure they have the cash to pay for both drivers, but possible partnering one experienced racer with Sutil would help the team. Mike Gascoyne, who has worked with both Fisichella and Schumacher in the past has been slowly progressing the team and has spoken of the squad taken a step further next year. However, in all fairness most teams say that at this time of year, even the front-runners.

Driving for a young dynamic team with high ambitions is a good opportunity, but at the moment it is just one test to see how we get on working together, and whether this is possible. I think I can help the team with its development programme but we will see. Ralf Schumacher.

Whilst no drivers have been officially confirmed by Renault, the team has given me permission to explore other options. I was invited to test with Force India F1 Team at Jerez and I was very happy to accept it. Giancarlo Fisichella.

Bernie Ecclestone, on the other hand, thinks the pair could be making a mistake by moving from topish teams to a back-of-the-grid hopeful.

Both were at decent teams for some time when they should have been doing better jobs. They should think about whether it is intelligent to change to small teams. Look at Renault. If in 2005 and 2006 they would have had only Fisichella in the team, they would not have known that they had a car good enough to win the championship. Bernie Ecclestone.

Also driving the Force Indias next week will be Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi, who drove a few laps each at the last test held at Circuit de Catalunya. Another former Toyota employee, Franck Montagny, will also drive a Force India, hoping for a return to the grid after competing with Super Aguri for a few races in their inaugural season. Already contracted testers Giedo van der Garde and Roldan Rodriguez are expected to take part as well, forming a impressive line up of test drivers for the squad. I can only assume that Fisi, Ralf, Franck, Klien and Tonio aren’t being paid for this work.

Christian Klien and Giancarlo Fisichella will run on Wednesday 4th, while Ralf Schumacher and Vitantonio Liuzzi will run on Thursday 5th.

So, should Force India be offering Ralf and Fisi lifelines, or should the pair gracefully retire from the sport? Have your say in the comments below.

Original article by BlogF1.

Giancarlo Fisichella, Ralf Schumacher & Fernando Alonso