Questions to Mario Theissen

The BMW-Sauber team covered a whopping 9,445 kilometers in total across all private testing sessions in Valencia, Sakhir, Jerez and Barcelona, ​​in preparation for its fourth season in Formula 1 and the first Grand Prix of the season in Melbourne, which will take place in less than two weeks now.

This year, the interpretation of everyone?s performances and the first predictions are proving to be much more complicated than usual. Nothing is yet certain at the moment, neither the real potential of the surprising Brawn GP 001, nor the seriousness of the setbacks encountered by McLaren, nor the relative reliability of Ferrari, nor the list of teams ready to use KERS from the start of the season…

However, one team says it is already ready to do battle in Australia: BMW and its spokesperson of the day, Mario Theissen, president of the brand's Motorsport division.

“Things are looking good after all the tests. The impressions of the pilots and the analyzes of our engineers are positive. We are in the right direction,” he said.

What were the main technical challenges to overcome for this new season? ?

Mario Theissen: “Engineers have had to adapt to fundamental changes in many different areas. Above all, they had to work a lot on aerodynamics, tires and the development of KERS. In addition, the engines must now travel twice the minimum distance imposed in 2008. These changes are so fundamental that they had to start from a blank sheet to create this F1.09. Looking back now I say to myself that they really did an excellent job in a very short time, I am both proud and impressed. »

BMW was the only team to promote the introduction of the famous KERS energy recovery system in 2009. Should we assume that it is fully operational for you and that you will therefore use it in Melbourne?

TM: “We're at a stage where we're confident we'll use it in Melbourne. Now, the only thing left for us to do in this area is to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the system. The positive point is obviously that the driver will have 82 horsepower at his disposal for 6,6 seconds per lap, however, the total weight of the KERS harms the mass distribution and, therefore, affects the general balance of the car as well as tire wear. We will make a decision on a case-by-case basis, driver by driver and depending on the circuit. »

What is your goal for the coming season?

TM: “As far as we are concerned, we had, from the moment we arrived in F1, a long-term vision. In our first year we aimed to finish regularly in the points. In our second year we wanted to get on podiums and in our third year we wanted to get our first victory. We achieved all of these objectives. For our fourth season, we want to take a further step, undoubtedly the most difficult. We want to fight for the title of world champion. I think that F1.09 is the ideal tool to achieve this objective, however I also know that it is possible to plan a level of performance, but not the results. »