First race weekend always brings the moment of truth - Theissen

With this Friday's first free practice session for the Australian Grand Prix, the BMW Sauber F1 Team is going to start into its third Formula one season. BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen talks about the first race of the season and the F1.08's design concept.

Mario Theissen: "we are pleased that Australia is kicking off the season again, in 2008. There's always a very special atmosphere in Melbourne. The city just throbs, the spectators are all smitten with the Formula One bug and everyone looks forward to the first test of strength with excited anticipation.

"Last year it turned out that we achieved our best qualifying result of the season at the curtain-raiser in Albert Park. Nick started from third place, Robert from fifth. The first race weekend always brings the moment of truth. That's when we find out where everyone stands.

"During the winter we consciously opted for a change in concept for the BMW Sauber F1.08. To be able to catch up with the teams ahead of us we had to go for an aggressive approach. The reliability of the new car has been very good from the outset. We have also learnt that a car with a lot of potential is harder to control at the start than a more amenable car that reaches its limits far more quickly. For us it's now a case of forging ahead with the fine-tuning. Since the roll-out, I believe we are on a good path.

Our ambitious target for 2008 remains unchanged: this year we want to close the gap to the leaders and win our first race."