Zoom Kubica finishes fourth in the drivers' standings

The BMW Sauber F1 Team had a disappointing finale to what was a very successful season, as Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica finished tenth and eleventh at the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos. For the first time since 34 races (2006 Brazilian Grand Prix) the team failed to score points in a race.

Kubica dropped one position and finished fourth in the championship behind Kimi Raikkonen, with both of them having scored 75 points but with the Finn counting two victories this season to the Pole's one.

Heidfeld is sixth in the final drivers' standings, with 60 points. In the constructors' championship the BMW Sauber F1 Team is third with 135 points to its name.

Nick Heidfeld:
"My biggest problem today was the start. I just had too much wheelspin, so I literally stuck on the spot. Then I had a few good overtaking manoeuvres and gained positions. Later the balance of my car tended to become very difficult and, especially when I was behind Jarno Trulli, I lost downforce. Later in the race I was behind Mark Webber and tried to fight him, which ruined my tyres. When the first raindrops appeared with eight laps to go I gambled and pitted for intermediates. There was nothing to lose. I was tenth, but unfortunately I stayed tenth. Anyway we didn't have a good race today, but nevertheless we had a good season. Congratulations to the world champions!"

Robert Kubica:
"Losing third place in the drivers' championship in the last race is definitely not the best situation. We made too many mistakes during the weekend and this is the result. Unfortunately I started on dry tyres, as we had the wrong information about the track conditions. During the race I was stuck behind Adrian Sutil for quite a long time. I managed to make up some positions in the final laps of the race, but it was too late. Congratulations to Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton!"

Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director:
"As last year, it was a dramatic finale. Lewis Hamilton clinched his title literally on the last kilometre of this race – congratulations, also to Ferrari! For our team it was a disappointing finish to a very strong season."

Willy Rampf, Technical Director:
"For our team this was an end of season to forget. With Robert we gambled at the start with dry tyres, but the track was too wet. Therefore he pitted immediately for a tyre change, and after this found himself at the end of the field. From here there was nothing he could do. Nick lost position right after the start. Even pitting earlier than others at the end of the race did not change the situation. Nevertheless it was a very successful season for our team, and this race doesn't change this. Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton and to Ferrari for winning the championship."

The 2008 season is now over but preparations are already under way for next year: testing will take place in Barcelona with Kubica, Heidfeld and test driver Christian Klien from November 17th to 19th.

D.B. © CAPSIS International