Theissen insists BMW can win titles

On the back of Ferrari and McLaren's struggles at Fuji, Robert Kubica's second place has left him just 12 points off Lewis Hamilton in the drivers' championship, with BMW Sauber also just 14 adrift of leaders Ferrari.

The surprise result in Fuji means that Kubica and BMW are now dark horses for the championship - and Theissen thinks his team must get themselves in a position to capitalise on any slip up by Ferrari and McLaren.

"We have seen last year what can happen in the final races and, for us, we have to be there if a chance opens up," Theissen told

"We are certainly in the follower road but we have made the best of this road so far, and why should that not be the case in the final two races?"

Although BMW Sauber technical director Willy Rampf has vowed to make every effort to try to extract more speed from the car in the final two races, Theissen concedes there is nothing they can to do fast track potential car improvements.

"No, there is not much you can do," he said. "You can rebook flights but you cannot make the car quicker."