For the BMW WilliamsF1 team any hope of securing the drivers championship disappeared at the United States Grand Prix, but there was the possibility that the team could secure the constructors title in Japan so long as they could come away from the race with four more points than Ferrari.

This was not to be after a race that would see Juan Pablo retire and Ralf having to start at the back of the grid and then be involved in a series of spins which would see him fail to score any points.

Despite this difficult end to the season where they would go from been eight points in front of Ferrari in the constructors title to finishing just in front of McLaren, Patrick Head still views the season positively.

Head said: "We've made a lot of progress this season, we've by the skin of our teeth finished second in the Constructors' Championship. We were second last year, and this year it's a strong second whereas last year it was a sort of weak second. So we've definitely made progress, although obviously at the moment it's disappointing.

"We certainly had the capability of winning both Championships this year, three races ago Juan was one point behind Michael and we were eight points in the lead of the Constructors' Championship. The last three races have been rather disappointing, but we're a strong team and we've got strength in depth, and we'll be working very hard next year."