BMW Sauber

RR: OK so onto BMW Sauber, and I think 2006 represents a whole new start, both for BMW and Sauber

NDR: A whole new start. Should appeal to one Jacque Villeneuve after recent turmoil in his career. I think they will play it safe, quietly in the background, accumulating minuscule points in seventh and eighth on occasions, and finish perhaps higher in races of attrition provided they can have the consistency and the little bit of luck that goes with it. Only thing that worries me, is that Jacques might not get on with Mario Theissen on set-up issues, as he tends to go his own way on this, and I'm not sure that Mario will stand for that. I think he is indeed lucky to be in the team, but as soon as the car hits anything near race winning pace, we'll be seeing a lot more of Jacques on the podium.  Is Heidfeld a leader? Just how good is the BMW engine? Zanardi appears to be quite impressed, and he is renowned for being a very technically sound driver. Plus, Sauber was a good team, but perhaps didn't have the funding and, perhaps the killers knife edge when it came to fighting out in the big leagues. They are too nice, and now that Minardi have gone, they will assume that mantle vacated by the likeable Italians. Sauber also have a good wind-tunnel, so if BMW can utilise this well, they could come up with a good car and Sauber themselves are finally free of Ferrari. No more accusations of coersion.

RR: Well I think that Sauber were often hindered by the mid-range budget, and the use of customer Ferrari engines, but I think Heidfeld will rise to the challenge. certainly if I was a team owner I'd gladly employ Nick ahead of Villeneuve.

NDR: I would actually take a chance on Villeneuve, because when he is good, he is GOOD. No driver nearly wins his first race, overtake Schumacher around the outside, win a World Championship, the Indy 500 etc without being good. My point is that he needs a good car, and people that will trust him. At first, BAR trusted him, but didn't supply a worthy car. Heidfeld, is a great driver, but I doubt he is a world class driver. I think he is a little too happy to be a journeyman, just outside of the limelight. A shame, because in F3000 he was a real force, and a rival of Montoya. Now in F1 I don't think he could touch the Columbian.

RR: Well he's never had equal machinery to Montoya in F1, but in my view he was the better driver at Williams last year, and we all know that Webber is no slouch

NDR: Agreed. I preferred Heidfeld to Webber last year. Just gets his head down and does the business. And, be sure to remember, he did actually beat Raikkonen at Sauber, even if the Finn was just playing himself in.

RR: Yeah, and I certainly think if you gave Heidfeld a decent car, he'd step up to the fore. Unfortunately though, I don't feel BMW Sauber are going to provide the car this year, although 2007 will be a different prospect

NDR: But they could be the surprise of this year. I can't actually a remember a year when I cannot actually provide a real answer as to who I think will be where in the year ahead - especially the midfield, and that is said almost year on year out. This time I think that it is especially unpredictable. We'll see I guess.

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