The initial reaction for the BMW WilliamsF1 team came in the form of a press release from the team.

"Oxford & Munich, January 16. Following yesterday's meeting between the FIA
and team principals, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team is currently assessing the
proposals presented.

The majority of the proposals will be further clarified by a Technical Working
Group (TWG) meeting tomorrow. It is therefore not possible to offer a full
response until this meeting has taken place.

In the interim, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team acknowledges the need in principle for substantive measures to ensure the continued viability of Formula One.

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team awaits the outcome of the forthcoming TWG meeting and the clarification that this will provide."

For BMW they welcomed the rule changes and what they are trying to achieve but they also pointed out that there are several issues are to be clarified.

BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen was quoted as saying on the BMW Motorsport web site: “FIA has decided on far-reaching rule changes on Wednesday to lower costs in Formula 1. The time at which the decisions were taken, only a few weeks before the start of the season, makes it doubtful whether all of the measures envisaged for 2003 can be implemented on time.

The spectators ought to profit from the decisions. Racing strategy is getting more transparent and the races are getting more exciting. On the other hand, BMW is in Formula 1 to demonstrate their technological competence in this world-wide motor sport spectacle in all conceivable facets. From this point of view, the new rules lead to certain restrictions.

Nonetheless, I still see enough space for BMW, in which we can show our technical know-how in the complex world of Formula 1. And for us, these decisions also mean technological challenges. Right now, we are thoroughly examining the regulations. On Friday, the Technical Working Group of FIA is meeting to successively go through the proposals in order to clarify all the issues which are still unclear. After that, we are going to analyse and implement the results.”

BMW Motorsport Director Gerhard Berger added: “I have learned to respect FIA’s decisions. As so often, I have two different viewpoints on this matter: the BMW Motorsport Director’s viewpoint and the former racing driver’s.

It’s all about making races more exciting and to give the driver more influence on his car and to cut the costs. The new measures are aiming at this direction. Therefore, I have a positive view on the decisions.

On the other hand, BMW are also competing for the world constructors’ championship in Formula 1. BMW want to display their technological competence compared to the competitors. The decisions restrict these possibilities, but are still within an acceptable range. I think, however, that some of the measures cannot be realised with such little time left. In any case, now I’m even more anxious to see the start of the season in Melbourne on March 9."