Villeneuve optimistic of strong weekend

BMW Sauber's Polish test driver Robert Kubica posted the quickest times in both morning and afternoon sessions, in the first one finishing nearly two seconds quicker than his closest rival.

The promising Pole, who will not race on Sunday, returned under brighter skies in the afternoon to clock a best time of 1:16.965 to finish ahead of Renault's world champion Fernando Alonso.

Villeneuve was 10th quickest.

"The car is running strong," said Villeneuve. "It is a little bit difficult to drive with the relatively low downforce, and the track is very slippery, but the lap times are competitive. I am confident for the rest of the weekend."

Villeneuve's teammate Nick Heidfeld completed a strong day for BMW, the German finishing in ninth.

"Generally I am happy with our positions as Robert was fastest in both sessions and Jacques and myself also made it into the top ten," said Heidfeld.

"The balance of the car is not perfect yet, and it proved quite difficult to drive. In the second session I had to stop my second run early due to a mechanical problem with the gear change paddle. Without this I would have done a few more laps."