Theissen happy with preparation and drivers

With the final test prior to the season opener completed, the BMW Sauber F1 Team cannot wait to contest its inaugural race, to be held in Bahrain. BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen talks about the team's preparation and the driver pairing: Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve.

"Both drivers are of the opinion that the car is clearly better than last year's," says Mario Theissen. "The lap times achieved in testing have been promising and things are running almost trouble-free." During the course of the extensive tests completed in Spain and Italy, the team succeeded in consistently enchanging the new BMW Sauber F1.06 and finding many improvements.

But the car isn't the only factor to boost Theissens hopes regarding the season kick-off. I'm truly happy with our driver line-up, the 53-year old praises Nick and Jacques. "In 2005, we were already really keen on signing Nick as Grand Prix driver for the BMW Williams F1 Team. There, he delivered in truly impressive style. Therefore, it was clear right from the start that we wanted him to be a part of our new project this year. Jacques experienced a difficult start to the 2005 season but improved in the second half of the year. And he is extremely motivated to keep on improving in 2006."