Formula One news

Drivers' nationality not important to BMW says Theissen

In Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has a truly competitive driver line-up contesting the 2007 Formula One World Championship. That one of the drivers is a German, is only "an additional bonus" for Mario Theissen.

Mario Theissen is not interested in the nationality of a driver. The BMW Motorsport Director rather says: "We want he best drivers to race our cars. Their nationality is of minor importance. Should one of the drivers be German this represents an additional bonus."

Theissen is impressed by the achievements and driving skills of Formula One's new young star, Lewis Hamilton. After all, the Briton is contesting his maiden Formula One season and with more than half the season contested he holds the championship lead. However, Theissen wasn't too surprised by Hamilton's competitiveness. "He was the best prepared young driver to have ever entered Formula One," he said.

After all, Theissen says, BMW has also supported numerous young drivers on their way to making it to Formula One. "We focus a lot on the young-driver promotion," he admits. "The fact that six former Formula BMW drivers succeeded in making it to Formula One and quite a number of others are successfully competing in the Formula One feeder series' represents confirmation of our work."

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  • Richards out of Honda running
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• 08 Jan.
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  • De la Rosa still aiming for race seat in F1
  • A dozen parties interested in Honda
  • Mosley not done yet with cost cuttings
• 07 Jan.
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  • Ferrari willing to supply 'Honda' with engines
  • Brawn says Honda won't test before season
• 06 Jan.
  • Ferrari to use electronic pitstop system in 2009
  • Kubica to start karting team
  • Webber's recovery going well
  • Ferrari to reveal new car next week
  • Stewart hits out at Ecclestone and Mosley
• 05 Jan.
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  • Suspended sentence and fine for Verstappen
  • Berger confirms Buemi for STR
• 04 Jan.
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• 03 Jan.
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• 02 Jan.
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  • "Title loss would have damaged Hamilton's reputation"
• 01 Jan.
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• 31 Dec. '08
  • Kubica: Next year is a big challenge
  • Hakkinen: Vettel will soon be a Formula 1 champion
  • Hamilton receives MBE award
  • Heidfeld expects more accidents in 2009
• 30 Dec. '08
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  • Ecclestone: Button should take a sabbatical
  • Manager: Alonso would love to join Ferrari one day
  • Changes at Toro Rosso
• 29 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to miss victory parade in Woking
  • Alonso to join Ferrari in 2011?
  • Mexican billionaire denies Honda bid
• 28 Dec. '08
  • Mexican buyer for Honda?
• 27 Dec. '08
  • F1 drivers positive on Algarve circuit

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