To the extent that historical press releases reference BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC as the manufacturer of certain X model vehicles, the referenced vehicles are manufactured in South Carolina with a combination of U.S. origin and imported parts and components.
PressClub USA · Article.
BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM - TURKISH GRAND PRIX - PREVIEW
Thu Aug 16 11:30:00 CEST 2007 Press Release
Munich/Hinwil, 17th August 2007. After a short respite from racing and testing, Formula One enters the final spurt of the season on 26th August in Istanbul. This challenging circuit on the Asian side of the teeming city on the Bosphorus joined the Formula One calendar in 2005 and requires the Formula One trucks to travel the furthest distance of the season.
Press Contact.
Roy Oliemuller
BMW Group
Tel: +1-201-307-4082
Fax: +1-201-573-8416
send an e-mail
Author.
Roy Oliemuller
BMW Group
24th-26th August 2007
12th of 17 World Championship races
Munich/Hinwil, 17th August 2007. After a short respite from racing and testing,
Formula One enters the final spurt of the season on 26th August in Istanbul.
This challenging circuit on the Asian side of the teeming city on the Bosphorus
joined the Formula One calendar in 2005 and requires the Formula One trucks to
travel the furthest distance of the season.
Nick Heidfeld:
"Last year, as part of an appearance for our partner Intel, I had my first
opportunity to see a bit more of the city. Istanbul with its location on the
Bosphorus is fascinating, but the congestion and traffic conditions are
chaotic. I will be using a BMW motorbike again to get from the city centre to
the race track in a fairly predictable time.
"The race in 2006 was disappointing. Sixth place on the grid was good, but I
was hit by Giancarlo Fisichella in the first corner and ultimately only just
managed to coax a damaged car across the finishing line. The circuit does have
overtaking possibilities, which is very good. It has an extremely long straight
and there are slow and high-speed corners. Turn 8 is a favourite of mine: it's
very fast and difficult."
Robert Kubica:
"An amazing circuit - Turn 8 has already staked its claim to fame. Most drivers
find this section quite a challenge. It is very long and in fact consists of
four different bends. It's great fun as soon as you've got your line sorted
out. The circuit can also be pretty vicious, because occasionally you bottom
out, lose traction and the car becomes unstable. We weren't particularly fast
there in 2006. I hope things will look better in 2007."
Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director:
"The short summer break has been a welcome one for our race and testing team.
The mechanics and engineers in particular were glad of at least a few days off
after the energy-sapping weeks and months.
"But, of course, work continued full speed ahead in Munich and Hinwil even
after the race in Hungary. Having established ourselves as the third strongest
team in the constructors' championship and built up a decent buffer of points
between us and our nearest rivals, we certainly don't want to relinquish that
position for the remainder of the season.
"The Turkish GP is a positive addition to the Formula One calendar. They have
created an excellent facility with a highly successful track layout on the
Asian side of Istanbul. For the team's partners, the city itself offers plenty
of event opportunities. Logistically, as well, this GP is exceptional,
involving the furthest distance for the teams with their trucks and motorhomes
to travel from central Europe. The situation is eased a little thanks to the
break that precedes this long trek."
Willy Rampf, Technical Director:
"The Istanbul Park offers everything you need for an interesting circuit. It
has slow sections that demand good traction, but there is also the notorious
Turn 8, for example, which consists of four parts but is taken in one line at
around 250 km/h. Due to long, partly uphill straights, the choice on this
circuit is for a medium downforce level. High aerodynamic efficiency is the key
to fast lap times. On account of its various corner combinations, the Istanbul
Park is a challenging track from a driver's point of view and calls for precise
handling. In our recent races we were very strong and have further improved the
F1.07, and so I anticipate another good showing on the part of our team."
For facts and figures please see the attached document.
After 11 out of 17 World Championship races, the BMW Sauber F1 Team is in third
place in the constructors' standings with 71 points.
History and background:
Istanbul encompasses the southern Bosphorus, the strait that divides it into a
western European and an eastern Asian side. The Golden Horn is a narrow
westward-running inlet of the Bosphorus which separates the European part of
the city into a southern peninsula flanked by the Sea of Marmara and the Golden
Horn, where the historic Istanbul is located, and the Galata district to the
north of the Golden Horn.
The city limits enclose an area of 1,538.77 square kilometres, with the
metropolitan region of Istanbul extending to 5,220 square kilometres.
Istanbul's population rose from 680,000 in 1927 to 1.3 million in 1955. The
figure in 1975 was 2.5 million, since when it has quadrupled to some ten
million inhabitants today. Around a third live on the Asian side.
The circuit designed by Aachen-based architect Herman Tilke is a rollercoaster
track with six right-handers and eight left-handers. Races are run
counterclockwise and the start/finish straight is 655.5 metres long. The
complex in Tuzla Tepeören on the Asian side of the city straddling the
Bosphorus accommodates 130,000 spectators.
Schedule for group interviews at the weekend:
Thursday:
13.30-13.50 - Nick Heidfeld - print media
13.50-14.00 - Nick Heidfeld - TV
13.30-13.40 - Robert Kubica - TV
13.40-14.00 - Robert Kubica - print media
14.00-14.10 - Timo Glock - TV
14.10-14.30 - Timo Glock - print media
15.30-15.40 - Mario Theissen - TV
15.40-16.00 - Mario Theissen - print media
Friday:
16.45-16.55 - Nick Heidfeld - TV
16.45-16.55 - Robert Kubica - TV
Saturday:
16.45-16.55 - Nick Heidfeld - TV
16.55-17.15 - Nick Heidfeld - print media
16.45-17.05 - Robert Kubica - print media
17.05-17.15 - Robert Kubica - TV
17.30-17.40 - Mario Theissen - TV
17.40-18.00 - Mario Theissen - print media
Sunday:
Approx. 30 minutes after the end of the race, the drivers along with Mario
Theissen and Willy Rampf will be on hand in the BMW Sauber F1 Team Hospitality.
Involvement in the FIA Press Conference means the group interviews will be
cancelled on the respective day.
Video footage can be downloaded at www.thenewsmarket.com or www.icnsport.com
(David Beck, dbeck@icnsport.com, telephone +44 7785 330066).
Photos can be downloaded at www.press.bmwgroup.com.