Engine row will not hinder BMW

Theissen has joined his counterparts from Mercedes-Benz and Honda in pleading with the FIA not to introduce two-race engines next year - and has been particularly angry at the move because BMW had done so much work on a engine that was designed to last for one weekend.

And although next year's engine regulations have still not been ratified, forcing some manufacturers to run parallel development programmes for a one and two-race engine to ensure they are fully competitive for whichever rules get brought in, Theissen has insisted that the performance of his engines will not be compromised.

"We are already executing intensive test stand tests," said Theissen about the progress of its 2005 engine. "We have introduced the latest spec of P84 engine at Monza, and since then we have focused on the development for 2005. Everything is running according to plan."

The FIA is expected to issue its definitive 2005 regulations by October 21, having sent three proposals to teams to consider - none of which offer the option of limiting engines to just one race weekend.

There have been suggestions that if the engine regulations are forced through against the wishes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Honda then they could take the FIA to arbitration - especially with added resistance to the planned move to 2.4-litre V8 engines from 2005.