Kubica delivered in excellent style - Theissen

Mario Theissen looks back on an eventful Japanese Grand Prix and the excellent second place secured by Robert Kubica. Furthermore, the BMW Motorsport Director talks about Formula One's expansion in Asia and the efficient and cost-effective politics of the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

Mario Theissen: "Prior to the race at Fuji, many people expected to witness an unspectacular afternoon - but the opposite was the case. It was a truly exciting Japanese Grand Prix, compensating us for the bad luck we encountered in Singapore.

"In the 16th round of the 18-race season, Robert delivered in excellent style. With a little luck and a lot of skill he took the lead in the first-corner turmoil and defended it up to his first pit stop. Subsequently, he was unable to quite match the pace of Fernando Alonso but succeeded in keeping Kimi Räikkönen at bay in a tough but fair battle to secure his third runner-up finish of the 2008 season.

"It was the 11th podium for our team this year and the seventh for Robert. Nick also gained a lot of ground from his 16th position on the grid, but in the end he finished ninth, thus having to leave Japan empty-handed. Having started 16th, securing a better result was never really possible. Now we look forward to a thrilling season finale.

"Next weekend's Chinese Grand Prix represents the second half of the Asian back-to-back races. Altogether, it will be the fifth race held on this continent in 2008. If you add the Turkish Grand Prix to these races, Asia has hosted six World Championship rounds - a third of the entire season. In 2009, Formula One will make its debut appearance in Abu Dhabi. This development clearly demonstrates that Asia today represents an important main pillar for Formula One. Shanghai is developing as an economic metropolis at an explosive rate. China is a future market featuring significant growth potential. Therefore, the race at Shanghai represents a particularly important one, from the point of view of BMW and our partners.

"At Fuji, I was often asked about the current economic crisis. There's no doubt that the turbulence of the financial markets causes global disconcertment. It's a comprehensive development which is having an impact on every business area, and therefore on Formula One also. This applies to manufacturers and teams as well as their partners and sponsors.

"At BMW, we have pursued cost reduction measures in Formula One for many years, acted accordingly efficiently and reduced expenses. Compared to when we were involved in Formula One as engine supplier for Williams, we pay 30 percent less for our Formula One involvement - with our own team! Currently, we are cooperating with the other teams and the FIA to define additional reasonable cost reducing measures. I am convinced that Formula One will succeed in adapting to the new situation and eventually emerge invigorated from this situation.

"In recent years, BMW has successfully proven its technology leadership in Formula One. Today we can say that there is no other company that has been as successful as BMW when it comes to the technology transfer between motor racing and production. For the automotive industry, a global technology and structure change is imminent. In this regard, Formula One with its hybrid KERS system will make a major contribution, being a particularly interesting approach within the scope of our EfficientDynamics strategy. Due to these future issues, Formula One is going to reposition itself. The image will change."