BMW expect more success at Imola

[Zytek_Fan]

MW Sauber chassis technical director, Willy Rampf has said that the Swiss based team are 'confident' they can put in another good performance at the San Marino Grand Prix next weekend, following their promising form in Australia.

BMW Sauber duo, Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve finished fourth and sixth in Melbourne two weeks ago to notch up their first double points finish and take their tally to date to 10 points. Furthermore following another round of testing at Paul Ricard and Barcelona and they will line up at Imola with a series of aerodynamic modifications to the F1.06.

"Our goal is to carry over the momentum generated by the positive result in Melbourne into the European season – and the team's been working very hard to make sure that happens," confirmed Rampf.

"Indeed, the BMW Sauber F1.06 will line up for the San Marino Grand Prix with both a modified rear section and a new front wing, which promises increased downforce. Added to which, we're working intensively with our partner Michelin to get a better handle on the problems we've experienced in bringing the tyres back up to temperature.

"Imola not only demands a lot of downforce, it also places huge pressures on the brakes. For this reason we use maximum brake cooling and the optimum brake specification for this race. The kerb stones in Imola are fairly high and the drivers have to be able to drive straight over them to set a good lap time. This places considerable mechanical loads on the chassis and suspension. Overtaking is difficult as a rule, as the straights between the chicanes are not long enough to pass. That makes a good grid position and the right race strategy all the more important. I'm confident that we are in the position to go out there and put in a good performance once again."

BMW Sauber team boss, Mario Theissen meanwhile is looking forward to the first event in Europe, after the flyaways in Australia, Malaysia and Bahrain. The team will also have a new motorhome for this event.

"Everybody looks forward to the start of the European season – with both people and materials having less distance to travel – and the working conditions in the paddock are better," he continued. "When we get to Europe, the teams suddenly become home-owners, with the motorhomes set up for the first time in the year. We will have a new motorhome this year and are looking forward to settling in."

[Matra et Alpine]

Interesting .... BMW and Williams clearly never got on that well and here we have the Sauber chassis people saying they have a chance and yet ... only two days ago ......

BMW admits to reliability concerns
Friday, 14, April, 2006, 13:07


BMW has admitted to concerns that its engines might not last the distance in next weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix.

Engine reliability has been the team’s Achilles heel so far this season, Jacques Villeneuve’s motor blowing up spectacularly in the Bahrain season-opener and another failure sidelining Nick Heidfeld in Malaysia.

Both cars made it to the finish in Australia, delivering the team’s first double points finish under BMW ownership.

But with Imola placing major demands on engines, and the same units being pressed into service for a second weekend, BMW motorsport boss Mario Theissen has admitted it will be a “challenge” to get both cars to the chequered flag.

“Both Nick and Jacques will be using the same BMW P86 engines they finished with in Australia,” he said.

“With the short development time we had for the new engines, that continues to present a challenge for the team.

“Both engines are still at the stage of development we had reached prior to the race in Melbourne.

“And, with its high downforce requirement and uphill sections, Imola is a track which generally puts a lot of strain on the engines.”

Villeneuve echoed Theissen’s concerns: “Imola is a fun track, but it is the second race on the engine so we will have to be a little bit careful,” the Canadian said.

Along with most other teams, BMW Sauber will be introducing some new aerodynamic parts at the first race of the European season.

“The F1.06 will have both a modified rear section and a new front wing, which promises increased downforce,” said technical director Willy Rampf.

from www.itv-f1.com

I predict the engines will blow and they'll blame the chassis cooling

[fpv_gtho]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

I predict the engines will blow and they'll blame the chassis cooling

Brilliant way to start a new relationship...

And Williams, just to rub it in, have new engines for Imola.

[Daz27]

Is there a thread discussing the virtues (or lack of them) of the 2 race engine rule? Personally I think they should p**s it off and have a one engine - one weekend rule adopted, where the engine is fresh at the start of the weekend, but if it fails before the race, theres either a ballast addition to the car (weight penalty) or maybe a 1 second adition to the qualifying time. That way, with the one second addition, the driver might still go out and try to nail a time. Then, you wouldnt have the situation JB was in here in Australia, where his engine grenaded on the last corner, having to stop before the control line so as not to incur the 10 grid spot penalty. Seems ludicrous to give away points so as not to cop a penalty.

[Matra et Alpine]

Your idea would penalise the car in the whole race - I dont' think that's fair reflection on the team's efforts.
Damaging quali at least still ensure that come the race itself then the fast cars can go fast.

Re the giving away points -- he didn't HAVE to ... that was a tactical decision made by his team. The other alternative could get nasty ie IF it was a weight penalty then drivers would hang on trying to nurse the car home and avoid being penalised for an engine failure ( you dont' fail if you finish ) THAT could results in the last 5 laps having cars going round LOTS slower than the rest jest to avoid a weight penalty.

The downside of F1 rules is that EVERY team is looking for the angle to take advantage as much as possible and as cleverly as possible. Hence JB took advantage of that rule. He will take advantage of another one any time it comes up

I think this is a good chain of thought to follow up in yrou "what if you coudl change F1" thread.......

[Daz27]

Ok, so no weight, that was a bad idea, theres nothin quite like a 10kg chunk of Mallory flying through the air after an accident and sconing some poor knuckle-dragger on the head....Makes good tv though. But with the one second time penalty, hell, that could be as little as 2 positions on the grid, if Kimi can go from last to 3rd in a race, why couldnt he go from 5th (assuming he blew an engine and qualied 2nd or something) to the lead before the first stop. Its better than 10 positions down the grid, where he is automatically resigned to being 11th at best, and therefore fuel heavy for the race. Think my idea has merit there. Especially in the wet.

[Matra et Alpine]

But a one second penalty isn't really a penalty and teams would then chose to deliberately BLOW an engine knowing that it's such a small difference.
The penalty has to be sever enough for a team NOT to want it to happen or it's not a control at all and pointless having.
THat is hurts as you describe is evidence that it is about right

[Daz27]

2.5 seconds then, what Im getting at is the penalty has to be enough to deter intentional failures, but enough to make the driver want to make ammends in qualifying. If I blew an engine in the first session, and knew i was going back 10 places at Imola, id kill myself, especially if the team said dont bother pushen, youre going to be last anyway...15 laps behind Ralf, Montiero and all those other mobile chicanes?? Heaven forbid Trulli was back there too... No way. If I knew I was going to lose 2 seconds off my qualy time (I pulled a number from the ether btw, doesnt have to be a second) Im sure I would push HARD to make some time back so I wouldnt be back there with the morons and also rans.

[Matra et Alpine]

As I said, Daz, the 10 places penalty seems to be having the desired effect.
So WHY change it to 2.5 seconds ?
On some tracks that might put you to the end, some tracks it may only drop you one place !!
Not really consistent in "penalty" for the race is it.

EDIT: if you really woudl kill yourself for abad qhali then I suggest you dont' take up racing as a pastime or career. MANY times you get pushed back for infringements or track issues. You accept it and then drive the appropriate race tactics to take advantage. Let it get emotional and you're as well staying at home for the weekend ---- somethign Scott Speed needs to learn and learn FAST.

[Daz27]

Mebbe thats why I got out of racing...

[Matra et Alpine]

Originally Posted by Daz27

Mebbe thats why I got out of racing...

What formulae did you do ?

[Daz27]

just club cars, nothen too serious, and a little karts.

[Zytek_Fan]

Originally Posted by Daz27

just club cars, nothen too serious, and a little karts.

karts are fun...for a while

[Daz27]

especially when theyre not yours, I love those corporate days at the local hire track...

[Matra et Alpine]

Originally Posted by Daz27

especially when theyre not yours, I love those corporate days at the local hire track...

We got banned from corporate after an evenings "Le Mans" style race required three wheel hubs and 4 rear axles repaired -- 3 karts utlimately left aside as unrepariable !!
60 guys/gals in 10 teams ALL competitive
Our company director's team "won" -- yeah RIGHT !!!!!!