Heidfeld pleased with BMW's early start

While most teams are still simulating 2009 downforce levels within 2008 aerodynamic packages, BMW have run the 2009-specification wide front wing and narrow rear wing in testing this week.

They have also been running a Kinetic Energy Recovery System, another new-for-2009 device that many teams are not yet using in testing.

Heidfeld said he was not yet comfortable with the feeling of the revised car, and that the KERS device was far from race-ready, but was just glad that BMW are already running the new package on track.

"The first day was with let's call it the 'B car', with the next year's rules-style aerodynamics on the front and rear wing, with a lot less downforce in total, with the KERS on the car I was driving, and with the slicks," he said.

"Obviously the set-up is far from ideal, especially on my car as I was focusing mainly on the KERS systems. We're still having quite a few problems there, but at least we have it in the car. But therefore we were not focusing on set-up work, and that's why we still have quite a lot to learn.

"But I think it's good. Looking around in the paddock, comparing us to the other cars, we already have a nice B-car developed to hopefully get some good information."

Most of the teams running at Barcelona this week have focused their efforts on the slick tyres, but Williams have joined BMW in running new-style wings, while McLaren have been using a KERS in their car.