BMW appoints Duesmann as head of powertrain F1

The technical division of the BMW Sauber F1 Team is expanding further: as of 1st January 2007, Markus Duesmann will take the responsibility in Munich as head of Powertrain Formula One. Duesmann takes over the position from Heinz Paschen, who will leave the company by mutual consent.

Duesmann will report directly to BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. Willy Rampf remains Technical Director of the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

Theissen says: "Markus Duesmann has approached BMW, because he was looking for a new challenge. His ideas for the way of working and leading a team match our point of view. We are convinced Markus Duesmann is the right person to fill this key position. His experience will aid us to continue the building process for one team based in two locations, in Munich and Hinwil. For six years Heinz Paschen has formed a solid basis for our work thanks to his constant efforts and invaluable knowledge. All the BMW F1 engines in recent years have been developed under his guidance."

Duesmann looks ahead to his new tasks with excitement: "The BMW Sauber F1 Team is undergoing a development phase and this means a great challenge. As head of powertrain F1 my task lies not only in technology, but also in the design of structures and processes as well as in the close co-operation between the two factories. I want to put all my experience into this project and support the team on its way up."

Duesmann was born on 23 June 1969 in Heek (Germany). He grew up in Rheine and gained his degree in mechanical engineering at the Fachhochschule of Steinfurt. He then worked for Mercedes-Benz for four years and afterwards eight years with FEV Motorentechnik in Aachen. After his return to DaimlerChrysler at the beginning of 2004, Duesmann's final position there was head of development F1 engines at Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines in Brixworth (Great Britain).