Heidfeld has first run in F1.09

23/01/2009

BMW continued its solo test programme at Valencia today, and with Robert Kubica having run the new F1.09 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, today it was Nick Heidfeld's turn to get behind the wheel.

With gusty winds reaching 50 km/h, the scheduled test programme had to be changed and the main focus of the morning's work switched from set-up to reliability. Heidfeld completed several long runs to put more mileage on the new car, and when the weather improved slightly in the afternoon, he was finally able to work on the mechanical set-up.

"Finally I could drive the F1.09 for the very first time," said Heidfeld after completing 92 laps. "We still have a lot of work to do, but we are making progress with each kilometre and the reliability is already there.

"Overall the F1.09 handles quite differently to last year's car," he added. "Fortunately I managed to work on the set-up in the afternoon. The most important result after my first day of testing is that the car reacts as intended to set-up changes."

Heidfeld continues tomorrow, the German outfit's last day of testing last day of testing here.