BMW-Sauber launch 2008 car;Last year's runners-up hope to go one better this year
28 Jan 2008
The race to this year's Formula One world championship has gained momentum with German automaker BMW and the Swiss racing car design firm Sauber mounting their 2008 challenge. The new F1.08 is the third rollout from the BMW stable since the company took control in 2005 and is widely expected to emerge a winner for the Swissfirm.
A competitive 2007 saw the team scoring two podiums and finishing in the points in every race. This year it's all set to give steep chase to the front-running Ferrari and McLaren squads.
Equipped with a raft of aerodynamic changes and a powerful BMW engine, the new car is well prepared to take the competition head on. Moreover, both of last year's drivers have been retained. Team leader Nick Heidfeld, the 30-year-old German who finished fifth in 2007, is confident of doing better this year.
"The target this season is to take home our first race win," said Heidfeld, "and needless to say I want to be the driver who does it."
He will be backed up by Polish star Robert Kubica. The 23-year old made his mark in 2007 with a spectacular high-speed crash at the Canadian Grand Prix. But this year he is hoping to break different records.
"We have made big progress since last season, and I believe this car will help Nick and I to win races," he explained.