Kubica Revs It Up

If you go: Ferrari mechanics pushing Kimi Raikkonen's car back into the pitlane after the official testing session at the Sepang circuit yesterday. Insert: Robert Kubica.

Sauber driver clocks fastest time in first official testing

SEPANG: BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica has no experience racing at the Sepang FI track but it is not stopping him from aiming to make his presence felt in the Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix next week.

The lanky Polish driver served notice of his intention yesterday by clocking the fastest time on the first of the three days of official testing for the F1 teams.

Kubica, who stands at 1.84m tall, upstaged Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen to post the quickest time of 1:36.187 in the afternoon session on the 5.543km circuit.

Raikkonen, who won the season-opening Australian GP on March 18, was the second fastest in 1:36.302.

The BMW team had obviously overcome a gearbox problem they encountered in the morning session.

Kubica did 92 laps yesterday. He had highlighted the gearbox problem adding that it would be a priority for the team to work on in their preparation for the Malaysian GP, which will be held from April 6-8.

"The times are not that important. Our focus is to get a feel of the set-up and also get the car to be reliable. We tested the tyres today and it was okay. It's only the gearbox, which was chattering," said Kubica, who took over from former world champion Jacques Villenueve late last season.

The 22-year-old impressed the team with his handling of the car from the start and went on to finish third in the Italian GP last year. It was the team's second podium and his first in three F1 races.

Kubica did not finish the last race in Melbourne when his car encountered gearbox problems but said he is looking forward to the Malaysian round.

"This will be the first time I am going to race here. Our cars were on the pace with Renault and we expect to maintain this in Sepang. I hope to get a top five finish," he said.

As for the humid weather expected during the event, Kubica felt it is not an issue because they will have enough time to adapt to the conditions.

"The weather will be good for us because we have to get accustomed to it. The next race after Sepang will be under similar conditions in Bahrain," he said.

More than 1,000 fans took the opportunity to watch the first-ever official testing at the Sepang circuit yesterday.

Ten teams are involved in the testing and the public are free to watch the proceedings from the main grandstand. Spyker are the only team not taking part in the tests.

Sapura Auto Hosts An Exclusive Evening With The BMW Sauber F1 Drivers.

Drivers' Items Auctioned for Mercy.

Kuala Lumpur, 3 April 2007 - Sapura Auto, the premium automobile arm of the Sapura Group of Companies, hosted a special evening today for more than 200 of its invited guests. Held at the 1st floor of its showroom and service centre a JalanTun Razak, the evening gave an exclusive opportunity for Sapura Auto's guests to get close and personal with the drivers of the BMW Sauber Formula One Team, Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica.

Encik Mohar Ibrahim, CEO of Sapura Auto Sdn Bhd, said,"This evening is indeed meaningful for us at Sapura Auto. We are proud to be associated with BMW F1, especially with our Sapura Auto Fast Lane Service advantage. This evening is not just an opportunity for us to create closer rapport with our clients and associates but also to allow us to continue supporting worthy organizations like Mercy Malaysia:'

Encik Mohar further added that the Auction was an opportunity for their clients and associates to own exclusive items of the drivers that are priceless for many F1 fans.These items included an actual spoilerforan FI car, Nick Heidfeld's under shirt and a limited-edition Leica Oscar Barrack camera.

“We are privileged to have Mr Heidfeld and Mr Kubica agreeing to contribute their personal items for the charity auction. The auction, conducted by Christie's, raised a total of RM59,000 for Mercy Malaysian' added Encik Mohar.

The centre served as an excellent backdrop for the evening. Guests were treated to a commanding view of Kuala Lumpur's iconic architectures, namely the PETRONASTwinTowers and the Lembaga Tabung Haji Building, whilst enjoying the evening's activities.They also enjoyed a unique spread combining traditional German fare prepared with a Malaysian twist.The evening was emceed by popular ESPN F1 host Paula Malai All. Guests were treated to photo taking and autograph sessions with the BMW Sauber F1 drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica, together with their team. The evening continued with a classy performance from Camelia who belted popular tunes and hits from her latest album.

Sapura Auto is a flagship BMW dealership, located strategically in the City Centre at 362 Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.The 60,000 square feet dealership has complete facilities to provide sales, service, spare parts, as well as state-of-the-art equipment and systems to serve current and new BMW customers.

The first sales and service centre in the city, Sapura Auto is the flagship dealership of BMW for purchasing, enquiries or any activities associated with BMW and luxury. Sapura Auto embodies professionalism and pays high emphasis to quality and after sales service. Trust, credibility and reliability are key elements of Sapura Auto, and the company strives to ensure that all three fundamentals are incorporated into its culture to provide the great customer experience to all.

The City centre's first integrated BMW centre.
Encik Mohar addresing the guests.


Q&A session with Paula Malai Ali, and the drivers.
Kubica and Heidfeld with their items for auction.

Heat Of F1 In The City

BMW Sauber F1 Team brings Asia’s first Pit Lane Park experience to the city centre.

Malaysia will have the first in Asia to get up close and personal with Formula F1, when the BMW Sauber F1 bring the pit lane park experience to Kuala Lumpur during GP week.

The pit lane park – a traveling interactive experience designed to bring people closer to the world of the BMW Sauber F1 team – will offer visitors all aspects of the F1 that they would only normally see and hear from a distance.

Kuala Lumpur will be the first of five scheduled stops on it tours.

Located along Jalan Binjai, right next to the KLCC’s central park, the BMW Sauber F1 Pt Lane Park will be open from tomorrow to Sunday until house everything from a miniature race track, mini grandstands, an F1 training centre and garage, a display of BMW race car and much more.

Amongst the “stars” of the Pit Lane Park will be the racehorse of this year’s BMW Sauber F1 team, the F1.07. Providing audiences with the full spectrum of sound, speed and dynamics behind the world’s most state-of-the-art racing technology, the F1 car will alternate on-track throughout the day with a Formula BMW race car as will as stunt performances by BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle division of BMW.

Apart from viewing the on track action that will see drivers practice start, power down the strip and perform pit stops, spectators will also be able to participate in a series of interactive activities such as the public pit stop challenge and Q&A sessions with BMW Sauber F1 team mechanic and trainers.

In announcing the arrival of Asia’s first Pit Lane Park, Wolfgang Schlimme, managing director of BMW Malaysia said: “The Pit Lane Park experience offers people of glimpse into the precise world of Formula 1 by bringing to them an interactive experience which replicates genuine Grand Prix conditions, from performing pit lane stops, driving F1 simulators and even the chance to have their picture taken in full F1 racing garb.”

“BMW’s vision has always been to give people the chance to go through the entire experience of sheer perfection that is born from the precise harmony between talented people and state-of-the-art machinery. The Pit Lane Park will provide people with a clearer view, and allow them to partake in that vision,” add Schlimme.