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27 Apr 2009, 09:51 (Ref:2450505) | #1 | |
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The BMW performance thread
Very good point for discussion - how come BMW suddenly so slow? They nearly won Melbourne. Any thoughts?
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27 Apr 2009, 09:53 (Ref:2450506) | #2 | ||
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I don't think they were as slow as the Bahrain event showed. The gaps between the cars are so tiny now that if you have a bad weekend, you lose a lot of positions. Similarly, if the car doesn't suit the circuit, you will struggle.
Both BMWs took damage and pitted and dropped to the back. Neither of those drivers are known for their fighting spirit, so combine the pit stops with that and the poorer car, it was never going to be anything better than terrible. I'd imagine they'll improve in coming events. |
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27 Apr 2009, 09:59 (Ref:2450512) | #3 | |
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They did have an unfortunate race start, but there again they didn't qualify well either. Surprising that they weren't able to make progress, since KERS ought to have helped them in that regard.
As you say, better luck next time. |
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27 Apr 2009, 10:04 (Ref:2450516) | #4 | ||
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Good point raised in the original thread... Kubica had a chance of being WDC last year, and famously fell out with BMW because they stopped developing their car in the way that Ferrari and Mclaren did,to concentrate on this year's car.
So, given that they started developing the '09 car way back last season, shouldn't they be up there with Brawn? Instead, they seem to have developed a car and KERS system that only fits one of their drivers, and not even the one that was challenging for the title last year. Yes they've shown some pace on occasion, but others seem to be catching and passing them as they get to grips with the new cars/regs. Own goal? |
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27 Apr 2009, 10:05 (Ref:2450517) | #5 | |
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Well, all KERS cars that didnt get damaged on first lap ended up in top 10. But if your overall lap pace is bad and you have such a competitive field throughout (including Force India) it will be difficult to catch up, let alone pass, if you need to do an extra pitstop to change damaged parts.
Edit: Agree with the opinion Racer 35 posted while I was writing as well. Especially making such a heavy car that Kubica can't properly fit the KERS in it when they started really really early... surprisingly bad work. Bad Karma for being one of the 2 teams refusing Brawns regulation cleanups? |
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27 Apr 2009, 10:05 (Ref:2450518) | #6 | ||
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It just went wrong didn't it. Both were caught up in the first lap incident, and then had to pit for a new nose each, were converted to a one stop i think, and then their tyres couldn't take that long out on track, so they had no pace at all.
I think they'll come good through the season. They've got some new stuff for the car for europe so we can only hope that pushes them forward and Heidfeld can get his first win. |
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27 Apr 2009, 10:15 (Ref:2450532) | #7 | |
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I do tend to agree that Kubica has quite a lot to be unhappy about at the mo. Still, we'll see how it unfolds.
Last edited by Glen; 27 Apr 2009 at 10:22. Reason: Tried to edit. Never mind. |
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27 Apr 2009, 23:56 (Ref:2451168) | #8 | |
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28 Apr 2009, 01:44 (Ref:2451206) | #9 | |||
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Quote:
And the new season of reality F1 will start next week... |
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28 Apr 2009, 21:07 (Ref:2451836) | #10 | ||
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Maybe Bahrain was an aberration - Kubica was seriously quick in Australia, while Heidfeld lucked into a result in Malaysia after Kubica broke down early. It's sad to see them struggle after so consciously concentrating on this season when they could have seriously pushed for the 2008 title.
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28 Apr 2009, 22:41 (Ref:2451875) | #11 | |
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Difficult to put it all into perspective. Their Melbourne pace was OK, at least as far as Kubica is concerned. There is a big update planned for Barcelona, but then again that's true for pretty much every team out there. And the diffusor might not even be part of that yet.
They might make up some ground, but I expect BGP and RBR to remain quicker. Istanbul, Silverstone and Nürburgring should be largely indicative of the relations we can expect for the second half of the season. |
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29 Apr 2009, 00:01 (Ref:2451898) | #12 | |
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29 Apr 2009, 00:16 (Ref:2451905) | #13 | ||
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