BMW Sauber Support for Kubica too Late

For the last four months, Robert Kubica has been pleading his case in the press for his BMW Sauber team to fully support his efforts to win the Driver’s Championship in 2008. And finally, with just two races left in the season, the team principals have expressed support for their driver.

While such statements make for a nice feel-good story, it couldn’t have come at any less effective of a time. With Kubica 12 points down to leader Lewis Hamilton, the distinct disadvantage in terms of pace that BMW Sauber have to the two leading teams, McLaren and Ferrari, means that it is only a matter of time before the Pole is mathematically eliminated from contention. As a matter of fact, he must finish at least two places ahead of Hamilton in this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix (provided Kubica finishes first or second) in order to carry his slimmest of opportunities to the last event in Brazil.

Since there are no longer any testing days available, the best the team can now do is focus their weekend preparations on maximizing Kubica’s performance. Later today in Friday practice, Heidfeld’s program will probably be primarily devoted to tire testing for Kubica’s setups. The team must finally get on top of the tire pressure mysteries that have affected the car in qualifying and races. It will also be interesting to see on Saturday if they play a hand with Heidfeld’s qualifying fuel load if the German makes it into Q3.

But it could all be for naught if Kubica cannot show the pace to keep up with whoever sets the best times. The only way Kubica has a chance is if he wins. So his competition is not necessarily Ferrari or McLaren. He may have to fight with Alonso or Vettel if the weekend ends up once again getting turned upside down.

Many supporters cite the 17 point deficit that Kimi Raikkonen overcame last year in defeating Hamilton as a prime example that similar good fortune can come Kubica’s way. Unfortunately, the difference is that BMW Sauber have not shown the potential to dominate a weekend the way that Ferrari showed last year. And as much as I enjoy watching Kubica drive a racing car and compete, I do not see him winning or even finishing second in both races to end 2008.

As I mentioned in previous posts, BMW Sauber had to throw their support behind Kubica in the Summer, when they could have capitalized on the many mistakes made by the other contenders. Instead, they appeared to lose their way in terms of developing the car and managing their weekends. Also, the team seemingly became distracted by the fate of their other driver, Nick Heidfeld, until he was renewed right before the last race in Japan. In hindsight and now knowing how the season has unfolded, it is clear that BMW Sauber have let a great opportunity slip right through their hands.