BMW enjoyed 2001 as having the most powerful engine, it was not good enough to challenge Ferrari but it was powerful right enough and as usual Ferrari responded in 2002 to this slight threat by upping their engine level and closing the gap right up on BMW. And in 2003 Ferrari are looking to blitz the BMW engine as they develop a radical new engine for the coming season.

However Theissen rather than accept the challenge Ferrari are posing their outfit has decided to be outspoken on the way Ferrari are developing their engines right on the edge of the limits as they can afford to do so.

"If you want to restrict costs we have to look at the materials issue. At the moment we have a limit in terms of specific strength of materials. But it doesn't necessarily restrict costs because if suppliers develop materials right onto the edge of the allowed stiffness then it could be as expensive as using beryllium." He said.