Formula One news

Theissen says BMW budget lower than with Williams

After his team finished second in the constructors' championship, BMW Sauber F1 team boss Mario Theissen insisted that the F1 programme was not just about branding, rather the technology developed for the sport was making its way into the company's road cars. Additionally he revealed that BMW spends far less money on F1 now even as a works team, than it did only supplying engines to Williams.

"We not only consider Formula One racing as an ideal platform to demonstrate the strengths of the brand BMW," Theissen explains. "We are very focussed on using it as a technological transfer for the series production and as an added motivational and educational instrument for our young employees. That justifies all the efforts put into the sport."

"I can't confirm a budget increase for our team," he added. "Today, we spend far less money on the BMW Sauber F1 Team than we did a few years ago in the cooperation with Williams. In addition, our budget is lower than it was in 2006. Test restrictions, the increase in engine durability and the homologised technology have contributed to this development."

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