Sauber to fight all the way

Theissen to do all he can to keep his team in the title race

Last updated: 16th July 2008

mario theissen BMW motorsport boss 14/3/2008

Theissen: Title target

Related links

Teams

Also see

BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen has vowed to do everything he can to ensure Sauber remain in the hunt for the Formula One constructors' title.

Although Ferrari and McLaren continue to grab the headlines, the BMW Sauber team has consistently performed to grab second place in the standings.

Ferrari head the table by 14 points, and although Sauber remain 10 clear of McLaren - the two F1 big guns are beginning to find their form.

However, ahead of the home race in Germany at Hockenheim, Theissen is determined to keep his side in the mix for the title.

"The nine races so far have brought us 82 points and seven podiums, and we have scored points on every occasion," saidTheissen.

"All of which means we are in second place in the constructors' championship, 14 points behind Ferrari, but 10 ahead of McLaren Mercedes.

"The highlight of our season so far has, of course, been the one-two in Montreal [Canadian Grand Prix].

Confidence

"Fastest race lap, pole position, race victory - in all the categories where there was a zero next to our team in the statistics not so long ago, there is now a one.

"That has given everyone in our team even more confidence, and they can see we are on the right path.

"At the start of the year we set out to turn the two-horse race at the top of the standings into a three-way battle and to win our first race, and we have achieved this goal.

"Although two teams are still a touch faster than us when you look at the lap times, as far as the reliability and the work of the pit crew and race strategists are concerned, we are already a top team.

"We will now make every effort to keep our chances alive this year, while not neglecting the development of next season's car.

"That is a big challenge, especially given the radical rule changes due to come into force next year."