BMW aiming to improve competitiveness with F1.08

In the last two years, the BMW Sauber Formula One Team's consistent development work has resulted in major progress. However, BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen still sees room for further improvements.

In the current season, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has succeeded in establishing itself as third power on the Formula One grid behind Ferrari and McLaren. Theissen estimates the gap to the two teams to add up to "about half a second per lap. I wouldn't say there is one area where we are massively behind," says the German. "That used to be the case last year when we had a car which was really fast on high-speed tracks but not that competitive at venues such as Monaco."

From Theissen's point of view, the team was in a clearly better position with its 2007 challenger, the BMW Sauber F1.07. "This year's car is quite well balanced but we are lacking a little bit everywhere," he explains. "What we have to do now is try to take the next step over the winter in order to keep on improving the car. It is an evolution rather than a revolution in order to find the ultimate three to five percent which is missing."