BMW takes first pole

BMW Sauber’s first ever pole position in Bahrain was further evidence that the team will play a key role in the battle for the 2008 World Championship. While it may be too early to suggest the Swiss-based outfit could fight for the title, despite leading the constructors’ points after Bahrain, it’s clear it has the potential to take points off McLaren and possibly Ferrari. Robert Kubica’s pole was not only the first for a Polish driver, it ended a 16-year wait for the team, which never bettered second under founder Peter Sauber. The F1-08’s pace was demonstrated by Kubica’s third place in Sakhir, while team-mate Nick Heidfeld set the fastest lap in Malaysia. “Our target is to close the gap to the front,” said technical director Willy Rampf. “Ferrari is still quicker than us, but McLaren has more or less the same performance.”