BMW 'not expecting miracles' in 2006

The German carmaker took over the Sauber team last season and will make their Grand Prix debut in Bahrain next week.

But despite the bigger budget and more resources, Theissen has played down their chances of fighting at the top right away and said BMW are planning to go step by step.

"Since the starting shot was fired for the new BMW Sauber F1 team, eight months have passed," said Theissen in a team preview.

"In this short development time we have been working very efficiently. We have integrated the Munich and Hinwil sites, got the expansion project under way, signed up our drivers, found strong partners and sponsors, got an interim vehicle up and running and then the F1.06.

"After an intensive winter testing programme, our drivers have given the car the thumbs up. The engineers are also convinced that a major leap has been made compared to the previous year. We can say that things are looking good at this stage of development.

"What our achievements so far will look like on the race track we don't yet know. We aren't expecting any miracles to happen; we just want to make the most of our possibilities and advance step by step."

Nick Heidfeld will return to racing action for the first time since last year's Turkish Grand Prix in August, and the German driver admits he is desperate to start racing again.

"I'm desperately looking forward to my first race after a long gap and I can't wait to see what the competition is like," said Heidfeld, who missed the last part of the 2005 season due to injury.

"It's hard to make any predictions, but my guess is that Renault and Honda will be in the lead to start with, possibly followed by McLaren and Ferrari, and then a group of closely bunched teams. We will probably be in with that group."

Heidfeld's teammate Jacques Villeneuve is also looking forward to racing after months of winter testing.

"We have done a lot of winter testing, much more than one year ago, which is very positive. However, it's time to start," he said. "I'm really looking forward to the first race, because this is what it's all about."