BMW Sauber technical director Willy Rampf says the team is still on course to hit its performance targets by the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, despite a difficult baptism for its 2008 car.
The F1.08 has not made the anticipated impact in early testing, with Nick Heidfeld admitting that it does not feel as well-balanced as the F1.07 did at the same stage last year.
But Rampf insists there is no cause for panic, and that the team has not yet scratched the surface of the new car’s potential.
“In terms of reliability the F1.08 is already very good,” he said after testing on Thursday.
“We have covered numerous laps without any noteworthy problems to date.
“As far as performance is concerned, we are at the start of a comprehensive development phase.”
Rampf says BMW is aware of the areas where the F1.08 is currently underperforming, and will soon roll out new parts to address these deficiencies.
“We have analysed the data from the test drives so far and identified the potential areas concerned,” he said.
“By the next test in Barcelona the car will already have received some relevant modifications.
“Following that, we will be using new components in all the other tests up to the start of the season.
“We have set ourselves an internal target which we aim to meet by Melbourne, and I am confident we will achieve that.”
Heidfeld says he has had to change his driving style to adapt to the handling characteristics of the F1.08, but hopes to be able to revert to his normal technique once the car is modified.
“To go quicker I am driving differently from what I would want to, but with the changes we are planning the target is to have a good balance and to return to driving in a normal way,” he told Autosport’s website on Thursday.
While he is not sure the problems will be fixed in time for the next test at Barcelona on February 1-3, Heidfeld’s main concern is that the car will be handling to his liking by the start of the season.
“Between here and Barcelona I don’t know,” he said.
“I’m quite convinced that it will be changed before Melbourne.
“Obviously the quicker the better, but the problem is if it’s not fixed before Melbourne.
“If it’s not done by Barcelona, okay.
“It’s not nice, but we still have quite some time.”