Remarkable leap - Theissen

The BMW Sauber F1 Team can look back on a successful weekend. In his column, BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen praises the good results secured in the Australian GP. Now it will be vital to maintain this performance level.

"Dear motorsport enthusiasts,

The Australian Grand Prix turned out to be a turbulent event with many thrilling moments. We are proud to have experienced a trouble-free race and to have scored points with both our cars for the first time - a truly impressive result in such a competitive field. I have to pay the entire team full compliments- not only at the track, but also the members working in Hinwil and Munich. It has been a great day for us.

Nick battled at the front end of the field throughout the race. And when it comes to Jacques, it turned out that our decision to let him start on a heavy fuel load was the right one. Both BMW P96 engines ran trouble-free. At no point in time did we consider reducing the speed, they both could rev to the limit at any time. Nick was supposed to push while Jacques had to fend off those pressuring from behind.

In eventful races such as the one witnessed yesterday, you quite obviously need a dose of luck to avoid all the tumoil. But the eight points we scored were well deserved. We've made a remarkable leap. The result represents the maximum we can achieve on our current performance level. A level we will have to maintain. We will now have to work all-out in order to ensure that we are able to match the development pace of the top teams.

At the same time, the Australian GP represented the end of the 2006 season's first major ordeal. The three overseas rounds will be followed by a two-week break ending on 23rd April, with the kick-off of the European season, at Imola. There, we want to continue with the performance delivered in Melbourne.

Sincerely

Mario Theissen"