Formula One news

Theissen: 2009 development must continue

Mario Theissen has stressed that the BMW team must not cease development of its F1.09 car in order to concentrate its full efforts on next year. Currently eighth in the constructors' championship having been championship contenders for most of last season, the German insists that the Hilwil squad must push to move up the order.

With a new car in the pipeline, Ferrari has already made no secret of the fact that it will soon place its full workload towards its 2010 contender although the BMW team principal is adopting a different approach. "We are already working on a new car but it makes absolutely no sense to stop developing this car," said Dr. Theissen.

"Firstly, there are no dramatic changes to regulations regarding aerodynamics; this means that everything we learn from which is a new concept can be carried over to next year. Secondly, there is a ban on testing; if we stop developing this car in order to concentrate on the new one, we can only develop behind closed doors - we would miss out on the opportunity to drive on the track."

Theissen is therefore electing to develop the team's new car whilst using the current challenger for on-track developments, allowing the latter to improve simultaneously. "For that reason, it makes sense to continue to further development of this car as much as possible," he confirmed. "The race weekends are our only tests so we must use these opportunities."

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