BMW not worried by Laurenz defection

Laurenz has been a key figure in BMW's programme with Williams, but has left and is thought to be on his way to arch rival Mercedes-Benz.

BMW has replaced him with 49-year-old Heinz Paschen, who has worked on the Munich marque's F1 engine programme since January 2000.

Thiessen said in Japan: "It is always a loss if a key figure leaves a team and Werner Laurenz has been instrumental in getting the team up and running. Part of the success we have had so far certainly goes to him and his work.

"On the other hand, he has been leading a very strong and stable team as well, so we were able to fill the role internally and will not appoint anyone from outside."

Paschen previously worked for Toyota designing the CART engine that helped current Williams-BMW driver Juan Montoya to his ChampCar success that same year.

Thiessen added: "Werner Laurenz did a great job in helping to establish the F1 department and he now looks for new challenges."

Laurenz will inevitable take a large degree of BMW know-how to whichever project he subsequently signs up to.