This weekend in Turkey is probably the most important weekend for all season for the team. It’s sort of a do or die weekend where they could really move up the grid or wallow in the back without much hope of recovery. I’m hoping for the first scenario as I hope you are.

As I mentioned earlier in a post, BMW Sauber is bringing another aero package in conjunction with the first major upgrade introduced in Barcelona. This one includes the new multi level diffuser that with any luck will improve their pace quite a bit. For the last few races the team has elected not to use their KERS system and it was thought they would re introduce it this weekend in Turkey, but that is not the case. One step at a time they say and just as in Barcelona they want to evaluate the aero package before they complicate it with KERS.

Earlier this week Robert Kubica was openly critical about the withdrawal of development of the F1.08 that he feels ended his chance at a fight for the 2008 championship and as we have discussed earlier he may have had a point. Now with his title chances all but dashed so early he can’t shake the past. Mario Theissen has formed a long term plan for the team which includes step by step goals. Up until this season they have met those goals and even surpassed them, but 2009 has been totally unexpected and the goal of fighting for the championship is gone and Kubica’s frustration about the process is now showing.

Traditionally BMW has followed what the German’s do when it comes to technology and that is use a methodical approach to a goal and they don’t like to deviate from the approach to it. BMW clearly produces fine cars with their tight conservative plans and clearly it works, but Kubica say it’s time to look outside the box and take more chances. Go for it he say! This year’s plan isn’t working for him and he wants some action. Sorry Robert, but that’s not going to happen. Mario Theissen is evaluating the team’s progress daily with respect to his approach to success, but looking outside the box isn’t what’s going to happen.

We are all disappointed with this season so far, but for BMW this is a blip in the road to their success and nothing more than that. Step by step they say.