BMW Sauber to decide on third driver running

[davewilson]

BMW Sauber boss Dr Mario Theissen will decide before the Spanish Grand Prix whether or not to run third drivers in Friday practice sessions for the rest of the season.

BMW used the third driver rule to good effect in free practice last season, allowing former tester Robert Kubica and then Sebastian Vettel to shine on occasion, but rule changes this season have made using third drivers less advantageous.

And Theissen, who is keen to run Vettel and his new testing partner Timo Glock as often as possible at grands prix this season, will make a decision on his drivers' programmes in the next ten days.

"I think it's a pity that the Friday sessions aren't held as pure test sessions where you could use - for instance - three cars," Theissen said.

"To date, we have been the only big team to offer a test driver the chance of contesting the Friday sessions. Prior to the Spanish Grand Prix, we will meet to discuss our future approach."

In 2006 all but the top five teams were allowed to run a third car and driver in each of the Friday sessions.

This year however, the rules have been tweaked so that while third drivers are still allowed to compete, they must do so at the expense of one of the race drivers.

BMW ran Vettel in Australia in opening practice instead of Nick Heidfeld, but his race campaign in the Renault World Series means he will miss a number of races due to event clashes.

Glock will only be available to test at non-European races due to him racing in the F1-supporting GP2 Series.