Theissen: BMW Sauber optimistic of progress in Turkey 26 May 2009
Despite BMW Sauber’s disappointing showing at the Monaco Grand Prix, Mario Theissen remains confident the team can turn things around and believes that developments for the F1.09 at June's Turkish race will see them take a step in the right direction.
On Saturday in Monte Carlo, drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica qualified in 17th and 18th respectively for the German-Swiss team, while during Sunday’s race, Kubica retired on Lap 29 following brake problems and Heidfeld finished in 11th.
“It goes without saying that everyone at BMW Sauber had envisaged the Monaco Grand Prix turning out differently,” team principal Theissen told the official BMW Sauber website. “However, what hinted at being a problem in Thursday’s first free practice session set the tone for the entire race weekend, from qualifying to the end of the race.
“We could not keep the tyres at the optimal operating temperature in Monaco, which resulted in us clearly being slow. Of course, the conditions in Monaco are unique, but our performance in the Mediterranean principality did not meet the standards we have set ourselves.”
However, Theissen is hopeful that the tireless work of the team’s Munich and Hinwil factories will eventually start to pay off, and is confident that the series of revisions planned for the Istanbul race will make sure of an improved showing in Turkey.
“After three years in which we have always achieved and even surpassed our goals, this is our first setback,” Theissen added. “We have to put this behind us - and we will do. The same team gave us our first pole position and put us on the top step of the podium. As a result, everyone is ready and motivated for the fight ahead, as we strive to return to the top.
“We will now immediately analyse the shortcomings, introduce corrective measures, and significantly increase our development speed. At the next race in Istanbul in two weeks, we will line up with another new development package. We will use a multi-level diffuser for the first time in Turkey. We are convinced that this will be another step in the right direction.”
BMW Sauber are currently eighth in the constructors’ championship standings on six points, 80 behind leaders Brawn GP. The Turkish Grand Prix will take place at Istanbul Park from June 5-7.
