News

Marko tests for BMW Sauber F1 team

25.01.2008

Driving an F1 car has been an opportunity for Marko four times this month and last, as he got the chance to test for BMW Sauber F1 team in Jerez and Valencia as part of their off season winter testing programme. He has also visited the factory in Hinwil, Switzerland, for engineering meetings and seat fitting.

Marko tested for one and a half days with the team in Jerez on 4th and 7th of December.  It was his first time driving a Formula One car since 2003 when he did a couple of days testing for the then BMW Williams team, and his first ever outing at the Jerez circuit.  It was mostly sunny and warm (between 10 and 20 degrees throughout the week) so perfect testing weather and a great experience for Marko.

He completed 606 km (123 laps) of test mileage and worked on a set-up programme with the engineers.  He had one track "off" while he found the car's limits but other than that reported that the team seemed happy with his feedback.  He spent his days in Jerez between his own driving days observing race drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld and also getting to know the BMW Sauber team.
 
He said, "It was a good test.  Everything went okay, there were no big problems.  I hope I was able to give the team some good feedback.  It was really interesting for me to follow what the other drivers were doing and I learnt a lot from the whole experience.  I really appreciate Dr Theissen giving me the chance to do it and naturally I would absolutely love to get back in the car for them again, if there is an opportunity for me to do so."

The opportunity came in January when BMW Sauber invited him back to drive the F1.07B in Valencia while Nick Heidfeld carried out testing of the newly launched F1.08 car.  Marko drove on the 17 and 22 January completing 76 laps (296km) on 17 January and 44 laps (176km) on 22 January.  He enjoyed his test and felt more familiar with the car and more comfortable in his seat with the adjustments the team had made since the December test. The team worked with him on set-up changes to make him feel more confident with the car and he worked on a limited mileage programme mainly concentrating on systems checking and development work with the SECU.

"It was a pretty good test from my point of view," Marko said afterwards.  "I learned a lot and I'm getting more used to everything with every lap in the car."

BMW Sauber F1 indicated at the launch of their 2008 car that they hope to make a decision about their third driver very soon, perhaps even before the end of January.