Robert Kubica was left lamenting the lack of track time in practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Friday. The BMW Sauber driver, in his last race with the team before moving to Renault, managed just 13 laps in the afternoon before he suffered an engine failure. Kubica finished at the bottom of the times and was ruing not having more track just when conditions where improving.
"We were just starting to work on the setup and the tire evaluation in the second free practice session when I had an engine failure," said Kubica. "Now the track conditions are improving with each lap, this is a big loss and I lost nearly one hour of valuable track time."
Teammate Nick Heidfeld enjoyed a better day, although the German was not happy with his car's handling. Heidfeld, however, was pleased about the new Yas Marina circuit.
"The track offers everything you can ask for," Heidfeld said after posting the 13th-fastest time. "The tarmac is good and the layout is quite good with the first sector having the fast corners, the second sector providing this endless straight and a possibility for overtaking, and the third one being rather narrow and windy, but flowing nicely.
"I'm not happy with the car's setup and balance yet. This is especially for a single quick lap as on the long runs the lap times were improving.
"The visibility during sunset and twilight wasn't an issue today. I hope this doesn't change if we get more dust in the air. In respect of the total darkness and floodlighting, I have the feeling it was brighter in Singapore."