IN interviews given during the launch of the new BMW Sauber F1 car BMW Motorsport Director spoke of how he viewed current WilliamsF1 driver Mark Webber and how the new BMW team will perform against the WilliamsF1 team.

Theissen spoke of how he felt that Mark's performance during the 2005 season were not up to scratch, something that even Mark recognised.

Theissen said: “Mark's performance… certainly was not satisfactory to the team and to him. He said that himself. He was not happy with his performance.”

This lack of performance played a role in the fact that the BMW team did not look at Mark as a driver for their new team, plus the fact that he is still under contract with the WilliamsF1 team.

Theissen added: “Because he has a Williams contract. It was always clear he would be a Williams driver in 2006.”

Theissen explained that if Mark can improve on his race performances he will grow to be a very strong Formula One driver.

Theissen said: “If he gets that right he will be one of the very strong drivers in F1. I expect him to do that.”

As for the 2006 season Theissen spoke of how he did not believe that the new BMW team would challenge teams like WilliamsF1, but that they would close the gap as the season progresses.

Theissen said: “But we should start to close up to the other teams.
Eventually we will go beyond (Williams') level, but it will take some effort and patience.”