Despite this change BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen is confident that the 2004 BMW P84 will again be the dominate engine in Formula One. Since their return to Formula One BMW has had a history of building powerful and reliable engines. Will this change come 2004.

For BMW they obviously want to maintain their position in 2004, but this will require a new approach to the design of engines. Dr Theissen spoke of the challenge ahead. He said: “We want to have the most powerful engine once more next year. “while we have to take up the challenge that we have to race a whole GP weekend with one engine per car.”

As for what impact the new engine rules will have Dr Theissen made it clear that power outputs would drop as a result. He said: “The big question is how many bhp the new demands will cost. By increasing the life expectancy of the engine each single component will have to be strengthened, so it will be a little bigger and heavier. Which will lead to a reduced engine performance and power output.”

As for the development of the new engine Theissen added that everything was proceeding as per their plans. He said: “We will quite certainly be able to test it in the car and on the track before season 2003 is over.”

One other aspect regarding engines is the possibility of further changes occurring in the future, including the reduction of cubic capacity.

Dr Theissen is cautious in his views regarding changes to the format of the engines. He feels that it is necessary to further discussion to take place prior to any decision.

Dr Theissen said: "Our first goal should be to concentrate on working out the measures that will lead to slower lap times, cost reduction or improved possibilities for overtaking manoeuvres. Then, as a second measure, it would be necessary to conduct investigations concerning cars and engines in order to find out how to realize these goals. We would prefer to go this way."

In general Dr Theissen did not have any objections to changes to engines. He added: "We are not against changes regarding engines in general."