Something we can be proud of - Theissen

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen looks back on the turbulent Belgian Grand Prix. He explains the crucial move to fit Nick Heidfeld's car with intermediates and talks about the driver pairing for the 2009 season.

Mario Theissen: "The Belgian Grand Prix turned out to be a turbulent race - both at the start and in the closing stages. Once again, the circuit at Spa-Francorchamps lived up to its reputation.

"Right at the start, Nick was involved in a collision and consequently lost several positions, with Robert also dropping back. Therefore, both our cars were out of the point-scoring positions as early as lap one. Our race pace was okay - although we had expected to be even more competitive, in consideration of our qualifying performance. During Robert's second stop, we encountered a problem while connecting the refuelling hose, and at this point in time things didn't look too promising.

"Over the course of the final two laps, however, rain began falling and things went haywire. Nick and his race engineer responded at cyberspeed, and he was the first to come in for wets. I have to admit that initially I didn't believe in the wisdom of this move for Nick, as there were just two more laps to go. But he had virtually nothing to lose - so taking such a risk was okay. And we were rewarded: in the final corners, Nick passed car after car, thus leaping up position by position and eventually finishing third. Later, he even benefited from the stewards' decision and moved up to second. Robert did without changing his tyres and finished sixth.

"With the Belgian GP contested, we have scored a total of 107 points, six more than in the entire 2007 season. And our number of podium finishes has increased to nine - compared to the two we secured last year. That's something we can be proud of.

"As early as the first practice sessions it was obvious that Nick has rediscovered his normal competitiveness level. He tested last week at Monza - and although these tests were mainly supposed on gathering data about the low-downforce package for this circuit, they also offered him the opportunity of testing some ideas regarding getting the tyres up to working temperature. Obviously, we hope that this issue is history now.

"These days, I'm often asked when we are going to announce our driver pairing for the 2009 season. The only thing I can say regarding this issue is that we are not pressed for time. We will make this decision until the end of the season. After all, it's not important to make a fast decision but to make the right one.

"First of all, it's back to racing. Next weekend we will travel to Monza - a track that has always suited us well. In 2006, in only his third Formula One race, Robert finished third at Monza, thus celebrating his maiden podium. And in 2007, we scored a total of nine points by finishing fourth and fifth. Therefore, it will come as no surprise that once again we expect to do well there, and finish the European season on a high."