BMW chief Theissen dismisses fears of poor testing
Nick Heidfeld has voiced concerns over the performance of the 2008 car
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Wednesday, 30, Jan 2008 05:08
BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen has insisted that the new BMW Sauber formula one car will be competitive come the start of the 2008 season.
Theissen told the team's website that the BMW Sauber F1.08 car would allow them to challenge Ferrari and McLaren in the upcoming campaign.
"We are very confident that we have got what it takes to turn the duel involving the two teams ahead of us unto a three-way battle," he said.
There have been reports that the new car has not performed well in early testing since its launch in Germany this month.
BMW driver Nick Heidfeld told the Autosport website earlier this month that the new car was off the pace.
"Last year (at this stage) things seemed better to me," he said.
"The balance was there quicker last year and we were more where we expected to be."
Theissen's comments follow what the team's technical director Willy Rampf said last week regarding the competitive level of the car.
"As far as performance is concerned, we are at the start of a comprehensive development phase. We have set ourselves an internal target which we aim to meet by Melbourne, and I am confident we will achieve that," Rampf said.
The first grand prix of the 2008 season will take place at in Melbourne, Australia on 16th March.