BMW Sauber Prepares For Canadian Grand Prix

By Anthony Fontanelle

With the Monaco Grand Prix controversy barely over, Formula One teams are already making their preparations for the forthcoming Grand Prix du Canada. After the Monaco Grand Prix, FIA announced that they will be investigating a possible violation committed by team McLaren Mercedes with regards to team orders. Recently, Formula One’s governing body said in a statement that “(McLaren) did nothing which could be described as interfering with the race result.”

With that controversy officially over, teams like BMW Sauber which claimed the fifth and sixth spots at the said race are preparing for the next race of the season. The race will be held at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on the tenth of this month. The team is currently sitting comfortably on the third place behind McLaren and Ferrari respectively. They already have taken a comfortable lead over fourth place Renault. The team is looking to increase their lead at the high-speed track where the Canadian Grand Prix will be held.

Nick Heidfeld, the team’s No. 1 driver, is obviously looking forward to the race not only for the race but for the view. “Like most drivers, I really like traveling over to Montreal,” Heidfeld said. “The race circuit occupies an incredibly beautiful location on the island in the St Lawrence river, which makes for an unmistakable atmosphere. And the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve itself has a very special character,” added the German Formula One diver.

With regards to the demand of the track on their cars which, of course, do not come with BMW headlights, Heidfeld explains that speed is of the essence for the Canadian Grand Prix. “The race circuit occupies an incredibly beautiful location on the island in the St Lawrence river, which makes for an unmistakable atmosphere. And the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve itself has a very It is a high-speed track with long straights, but also some tight chicanes and a couple of slow corners,” he said. “To start with, the asphalt always has very little grip. When the track starts to get really grippy and the car is working perfectly, though, you can run hard over the kerbs in the second chicane. This chicane also goes downhill, and you get seriously close to the wall on the exit.”

The 30-year old driver also shared his apparent fondness of the city where the race will be held. “Away from the track itself, I also like the city of Montreal a lot,” he says. “There is always a great atmosphere there and the people get really excited about the grand prix. I usually travel to Montreal a few days before the race and have time to do some shopping in the city. I also like to stop by at a few galleries in the old part of town.”

Heidfeld’s teammate Robert Kubica is likewise excited for the upcoming race and the venue. “I am really looking forward to Montreal as it is one of my favorite tracks in the Formula One calendar,” he said, echoing Heidfeld’s affinity for the track.

Whether the team will once again have a good showing at the race still remains to be seen. Mario Theissen, BMW’s team boss, is expecting his team to improve on their performance at the Canadian Grand Prix last year. Last year, Heidfeld finished seventh for two points.