By BMW Sauber F1 Team
January 20 2009

The BMW Sauber F1.09 has been unveiled and is completing its first officials laps at the "Circuit de la cominitat" in Valencia. BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen hopes the new car will allow the team to further improve its performance and explains the goals for this year's Formula One season.

"We have set ourselves the task of further improving our performance relative to the rest of the field", says Theissen. "The one-two in Canada and eleven podium finishes in 2008 set an exacting standard. In 2009 we are looking to maintain our first-class reliability record while also enhancing our performance levels so that we can be at the front of the pack on a consistent basis."

Last year BMW Sauber F1 Team was one of the top-three teams of the season, but eventually had to concede defeat to rivals Ferrari and McLaren in the Constructors' Championship.

Theissen reveals how the team can achieve the jump to the very top: "Ferrari and McLaren possess vast reserves of experience and have been operating at the top level for many years," says the German. "That's what out highly motivated team is setting out to emulate."