One thing is for certain: after it has slimmed down and transformed into a private team the new BMW Sauber F1 Team is very happy to line up with two C29s in the season opening Bahrain grand prix this coming weekend, one for Pedro de la Rosa and the other for Kamui Kobayashi.

But just turning up is far from what the team is aiming for.....

The car’s development has been pushed forward nonstop and the tests in February were positive on the whole so the goal heading in to the season opener in Bahrain is to score points.

Pedro de la Rosa is no stranger to the Formula One series or Bahrain for that matter. During his many years as an official test driver for McLaren, he was called upon to step in for their regular driver at the Bahrain event, securing the fastest lap in the process.

Now, he returns as a fully fledged driver for the Hinwil based squad and ready and eager to get the job done....

“I have good memories of Bahrain. In 2005 when I had to jump in I scored the fastest race lap. In 2007 I was there for two days of testing. However, I think the new section which is added to the infield will make it an all new track, because it means we have to adapt the downforce level,” he explained. “The best aspect of the circuit is that you can overtake.”

“There are three long straights with each followed by a corner where you have to brake really hard. We will have good racing there, I think, and all I want is to fight because this is what I missed most. It is difficult to tell yet which track will be good for our car. In any case it will be very interesting to see how the strategies unfold, and how the teams will react to each other’s strategy in the race.”

“Due to the fact that refuelling isn’t allowed anymore, the team can influence the outcome a lot more. After we have had four good tests on three different circuits I feel very confident for the season’s start. I covered a lot of mileage with the team and we learnt a lot. Bahrain will mark my return to racing and I can’t wait.”