BMW admits new F1 car a dog
Mario Theissen: "The weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix brought the first long overseas section of the Formula One season to an end. The race in the Sakhir desert was as good as over for us as soon as our drivers were involved in collisions immediately after the start. With four races down, we are now looking forward to the start of the European leg in Barcelona. The Spanish Grand Prix in two weeks will be a new beginning for many teams – including ours.
"Following positive winter tests, nobody in the team envisaged this start of the season. We are far from happy with our performance. We are far from where we want to be, and are not measuring up to our own standards at the moment. The entire package is too slow.
"We are taking a positive approach to this challenge. Our goal is to make the car competitive as quickly as possible. Whilst under great pressure, the team is pulling together in Munich and Hinwil, and is working determinedly and systematically to find a solution. I am convinced that the planned development steps will haul us out of this disappointing situation.
"We will line up on the start grid in Barcelona with a comprehensive development package, and have planned a series of additional steps throughout the current season. The package is not yet set in stone, with different variants still being tested in the wind tunnel. We are expecting a significant improvement in performance. We must then wait and see how we stand in relation to the other teams.
"This situation is unfamiliar to everyone in the team. Since it was formed three years ago, the team has continuously been on the up. Since 2006, we have reached, and even surpassed our own ambitious objectives. We have gradually worked our way to the top. However, things do not always go in your favor in sport. It is absolutely no consolation that other highly-regarded teams are in a similar position to ours. We must now show just how strong the team is. I am convinced we will get back on track." Source BMW Sauber