The gap is closing from two sides - Theissen

As part of its preparations for the new Formula One season, which kicks off on 18th March in Melbourne, the BMW Sauber F1 Team carries out numerous tests. BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen is confident that the team will be able to continue closing the gap to the top teams.

"We believe that on a lap time basis, we have made good progress so far," explains Theissen. "We have cut the gap of the orginal Sauber team by half last year and want to cut it by half again this year in order to be really strong in 2008. However, we have to see what our competitors can achieve, therefore it is hard to make predictions as to what we will achieve in the Constructors' Championship."

In its debut season, the BMW Sauber F1 Team succeeded in working its way up from eight to fifth position in the Constructors' Championship. Nevertheless, the closer a team moves to the top the more difficult it becomes to continue making major progress. "The gap between us and the leading teams is still rather big," admits Theissen. "It was quite big last year, but the gap closes from both sides. Each point we win, they lose, so I hope we can make a significant step forward in terms of competitiveness, this year."