The struggling BMW Sauber team have confirmed that they will be ready to run their version of the double-decker diffuser in Turkey next weekend, as the team tries to improve it's form by throwing parts at the car.
BMW will become one of the last teams on the grid to get their version of the designs pioneered by Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams on their car, but the team are hopeful that the new design will help to lift them back up the grid after a dreadful Monaco weekend.The team limped around near the back in the principality, and now has only six points from the opening six races, with 2008 title contender Robert Kubica yet to score a single point. BMW boss Mario Theissen spoke soberly about the team's performance as he made the announcement regarding the diffuser.
"Ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix our results are quite sobering. Nobody in the team expected the season to pan out as it has so far," Theissen mourned, "After taking a forward step in Spain, we were clearly off the pace in Monaco. To regain our competitiveness we will have to ramp up our development speed significantly. In Istanbul we will have the next step of our development ready and will be using a multistage diffuser for the first time."
However, Theissen remained confident ahead of Turkey: "After three successful years, this phase is our first setback. We can deal with it. After all, it was the same team in Munich and Hinwil that ensured our progressive advancement since the BMW Sauber F1 Team was founded. We are all determined to get ourselves back among the front runners again."
The BMW engineering chief with the gigglesome name, Willy Rampf, backed up Theissen's confidence, and said that the team's performance in Istanbul should be a big improvement.
"We’ll be lining up in Turkey with a new development package, which also features a double diffuser,” said a talking Willy, “Since the F1.09 concept was not designed for this, we had to make a number of aerodynamic adjustments. There are modifications to the front wings, side bargeboards, rim shields and the rear part of the engine cover. We expect this to take us a step forward, although we know that our rivals are not standing still."
Rampf also blamed the lamentable Monaco pace of the team on the ultra-soft tyre compounds supplied by Bridgestone. So there you go, it wasn't the car's fault after all.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
