BMW-Sauber unveiled their new F1.08 in Munich on Monday, with the team confident of making another step forward.
Theissen downplays breakthrough victory in 2008
BMW-Sauber unveiled their new F1.08 in Munich on Monday, with the team confident of making another step forward this season.
The new car, which incorporates a low triple-plane front wing and X-wings behind the cockpit, is BMW's third Formula One car since taking over the Sauber team in 2005.
"We have come quite a long way in two and a half years since the new team was created," said BMW motorsport boss Mario Theissen during the launch.
"We had two strong seasons and we spent a lot of effort on the new car. The F1.08 includes everything we learned, everything we experienced in the past two years. It will be a big step forward again.
"We are very confident to turn the battle with the cars in front of us into a battle with more than two years."
Gap
BMW-Sauber were the 'best of the rest' behind Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes last season, their second place in the Constructors' Championship coming after the latter were disqualified.
However, Theissen downplayed the possibility of BMW-Sauber drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica claiming their first grand prix win in 2008, saying the gap to the top two is still too big.
"It will certainly be difficult because the two teams in front of us are the strongest and most experienced," he added.
"They will do a big leap so we have to improve more than they will. We made good progress in the past two years I am confident we can do it again and close the gap."
