Despite typical cold Eifel weather, the BMW Sauber F1 Team had a smooth start to the weekend of its home Grand Prix.

The team brought new parts for the F1.09 to the Nürburgring race including a different floor, a further developed double diffuser, a modified rear suspension and, for its debut on Saturday morning, a modified front wing.  

At the end of the day, home hero Nick Heidfeld finished the second ninety minute session in eleventh overall, and is left somewhat mystified at the outcome...

”For me the outcome of the second session is somewhat difficult to understand. After the track dried out I was quite pleased with the performance. I had traffic on what eventually turned out to be my fastest lap and lost about four tenth behind a Ferrari. Because of this I had high expectations for the final run on another set of new tyres and on an improved track. But then I wasn’t quicker than on my blocked lap earlier in the session. This is really strange and has to be analysed.”