The technicians face the greatest challenge - Theissen

The BMW Sauber Formula One Team didn’t score any points at its home Grand Prix after Nick Heidfeld crossed the finish line in tenth position at the Nürburgring and team mate Robert Kubica finished 14th. BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen looks back on yesterday's race.

Mario Theissen said: "It goes without saying that we had hoped for a very different result from our home race at the Nürburgring. Compared to the previous race at Silverstone, tenth and fourteenth places for Nick and Robert were a slight improvement, but we cannot allow that to be our approach.

"At the midway point of the season, one thing is certain: the BMW Sauber F1.09 is simply not quick enough. We fell behind at the start of the season when the double diffuser was legalised. Since then we have been playing catch up with regard to aerodynamic downforce. We are also experiencing another shortcoming when it comes to tapping the full potential of the tyres, particularly in low temperatures during practice, as was recently the case at Silverstone and the Nürburgring. The field then records lap times within just 1.5 seconds of each other, which means you can end up slipping a long way down the grid.

"The drivers bare no blame here. If we could provide them with a car, with which they could compete at the front of the field, then they would be doing just that again. They have proven this often enough in the past. Both Nick and Robert have handled the situation in a very professional manner. They are working intensively together with the engineers, discussing ways of solving the problems and, like everyone else in the team, are striving to finally get the team back to the top of the sport.

"The technicians in Munich and Hinwil face the greatest challenge. In previous years our teams in Germany and Switzerland showed that they can also perform under pressure. After all, we showed continuous improvement over the three years since the team was formed, and achieved all our goals. Unfortunately, it is not possible to be permanently on the up in sport. Every so often everyone has to suffer a setback. The important thing is to stay calm, consistently analyse any errors, and implement any necessary measures. This process is ongoing. I am convinced that we can work together to alter this course, and get back among the teams at the top.

"Of course, work has already started on developing the F1.10, as is usual at this time of the year. This is running parallel to the further development of the current car. However, we are also working at full speed on the F1.09. Because there have only been minor changes to the aerodynamics regulations for 2010, we can take the knowledge we are gaining now and use it on the F1.10. That is our primary task for the second half of the season."