BMW Sauber F1.08
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The BMW Sauber F1.08 is team BMW Sauber's challenger in the 2008 Formula One season, debuting in the Australian Grand Prix on March of 2008.
The vehicle was unveieled to the media at the BMW Welt in Munich on the 14th of January, 2008. It took the tracks for the first time at Valencia after it was briefly demonstrated by Nick Heidfield in Munich. The F1.08, said to be a "radical evolution," was designed based on the highly successful F1.07 and will be driven by comebacking drivers Heidfeld and Robert Kubica, both returning for their third season with the team.
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Design
Aiming to keep in step with perennial F1 powerhouses Ferrari and McLaren, BMW is taking one huge step with the production of the BMW Sauber F1.08, the designing of which began after the team had handful of races with its predecessor---the F1.07. By the time the design had commenced, the team had enough knowledge of what aspects they need to work on the previous car which include the engine placement, the gearbox length, the weight distribution, the size of the fuel tank, and the suspension.
Technical director Willy Rampf said that the team's objective was to build a car with an impressive aerodynamic efficiency and a stable aero balance in order to give its drivers confidence when the wheels are turned in.
Through the course of the 2007 season, the team implemented changes with their aerodynamic staff which resulted in the change of the front wing arrangement. The car's new nose is slimmer compared to the older car and works with the various turning vanes to create the most efficiency flow of air to the rear end of the car. This way, it can get greater efficiency from the bodywork and the undertray. Careful packaging means that the rear bodywork has also been reduced in size. There are some new wing elements on the engine cover which will not only generate more downforce but also improve the flow of the air to the rear wing.
As with the other F1 competitiors, the rule changes---namely the introduction of standardised electronics (SECU) and the new running time stipulation for gearboxes, which must now be used over four grands prix---has also had an impact with the development of the new BMW Sauber car. Mechanical grip and sensitive accelerator control has also gained much relevance now that the traction control has been nullified by the SECU.
Rampf added that the car's development will continue up until the new season begins and that a new aero package for the Melbourne season opener will give the F1.08 a change in its external appearance.
Livery and sponsorship
The white and navy livery, used back in 2006 and 2007 seasons, will still be used in 2008. T-Systems and Cadence Design Systems, on the other hand, will be the official equipment supplier for '08, replacing O2. Petronas, Intel, Dell and Credit Suisse will continue to sponsor the team.
Videos
| The first presentation of the BMW Sauber F1.08 in Munich (01.14.08). |
Formula One Results
| Year | Team | Engine | Tires | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Points | WCC |
| 2008 | BMW Sauber | BMW V8 | Bridgestone | AUS | MAL | BHR | ESP | TUR | MON | CAN | FRA | GBR | GER | HUN | EUR | BEL | ITA | SIN | JPN | CHN | BRA | |||
| Heidfeld | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kubica |
References
- BMW Sauber F1.08 Wikipedia
- Meanwhile, in Munich: BMW Sauber unveils the F1.08
- The new BMW Sauber F1.08
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