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Saturday August 22, 2009

Heidfeld and Kubica stunned by BMW pullout

NICK Heidfeld and Robert Kubica admitted on Thursday that they shocked when they learned that German team BMW was pulling out of Formula One.

Talking to reporters here on the eve of this weekend’s European Grand Prix, Polish driver Kubica said he knew nothing at all until he read the news late last month while browsing on the internet.

He said: “It was quite a shock, an unexpected one. At the Hungarian Grand Prix, we knew nothing. You could feel maybe something because I had a few talks at the Hungaroring about the future and I saw some strange situations.

“But I was never expecting such a big decision and I think everybody is still a bit worried about their futures.”

Moving ahead: Brawn GP driver Rubens Barrichello of Brazil (right) goes ahead of Toyota’s Jarno Trulli of Italy during the first practice session at the European Grand Prix in Valencia yesterday. — Reuters

German drive Heidfeld added: “It definitely came unexpectedly. After Honda pulled out, and with the worldwide financial situation, I was always careful about trying to see how things were going on in the background.

“The feeling and feedback I always had was that we were safe and secure for the future. That is why it was a surprise.”

Kubica also questioned BMW’s timing with seven races remaining this year.

“Normally you would try to keep your team as smooth as possible without any problems during the year and now we have this big topic which is not ideal.”

Kubica, who has been linked with a move to Renault in 2010, said he was “open-minded” about his options for next season.

“Leaving Hungary everything was fine, then days later was this kind of decision. It’s very difficult to know what might happen in the future, that’s why I’m quite open.” — AFP

Free practice session: 1. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:39.404, 2. Jenson Button (Bri) Brawn-Mercedes 1:40.178, 3. Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Brawn-Mercedes 1:40.209, 4. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota 1:40.385, 5. Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams-Toyota 1:40.503,

6. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India-Mercedes 1:40.596, 7. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:40.643, 8. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India-Mercedes 1:40.681, 9. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull-Renault 1:40.723, 10. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 1:40.738,

11. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:40.739, 12. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:40.770, 13. Romain Grosjean (Fra) Renault 1:40.787, 14. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault 1:40.956, 15. Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota 1:40.985,

16. Sebastien Buemi (Swi) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:41.156, 17. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:41.350, 18. Luca Badoer (Ita) Ferrari 1:42.017, 19. Jaime Alguersuari (Spa) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:42.089, 20. Lewis Hamilton (Bri) McLaren-Mercedes 1:43.214.


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