Formula One news

BMW to run 'Friday' car

BMW's new works team will seek to run a third car in Friday practice sessions next season. Dr Mario Theissen, BMW motor sport director at Williams but likely to lead the rebranded Sauber team from 2006, told the 'Kicker' magazine that he 'assumes' the option will be open for the Munich based manufacturer.

His logic is sound, no matter how you look at it. The 'Friday' option will be open to any team in the bottom six of the 2005 constructors' championship table. Sauber is presently eighth, and Williams also out of the top four. Theissen added: "I assume that Williams will also run a third car."

'Kicker' magazine also claimed that the name of Red Bull's Vitantonio Liuzzi has been linked with a 2006 BMW seat.

Meanwhile, Theissen revealed that all major development on Williams' current BMW V10 has now concluded, apart from a 'small step' for the Suzuka race.

He was coy when asked about speculation that BMW, although leading the start of the 21st century, has not been one of the 2005 power horses. "I cannot say," the German answered, "because I would have to see the data of our rivals. Definitely the engines in formula one have moved closer together in performance. The differences today are not so obvious."

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• 31 Dec. '08
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