Berger to Leave BMW in October

BMW Motorsport director Gerhard Berger will leave the German engine manufacturer after his contract expires at the end of September, it has been announced.

BMW said that until then Berger will continue to collaborate on the team's future strategy, but he will gradually be winding down his operational involvement. Berger, a former Grand Prix driver from 1984 to 1997, took up his position as BMW Motorsport director in October 1998, working alongside Mario Theissen.

The 43-year old Austrian said he wanted to spend more time with his family, and admitted the decision to leave BMW was not an easy one.

"This decision was far from easy for me," said Berger. "My job as BMW Motorsport Director means a great deal to me, especially as I have a deep-rooted and special relationship with the company. After all, BMW gave me the opportunity and its trust to prove my entrepreneurial capabilities as well after my active career as a racing driver.

"My relations with the decision-makers at BMW have been excellent, and working together with Mario Theissen as a directing duo has not only functioned extremely well but has also been very successful. Our target was to build up a powerful team, and we managed to do that.

"But it's a very time-and labour-intensive job and demands the life of vagabond, such as I've now been living since my early motor racing days in 1979. For the future I would simply like more time for my private life, for my family and myself."

Theissen will remain as sole BMW Motorsport Director after Berger's contract runs out.

"Gerhard, with his considerable experience, competence and circumspection, has played a crucial role in our successes of recent years," said Theissen. "His longstanding association with BMW found its natural continuation in his task as BMW Motorsport Director, and the two of us have complemented one another superbly."