BMW sign Mercedes' Duesmann

As autosport.com revealed last month, Markus Duesmann recently parted company with Mercedes-Benz's High Performance Engine company having joined them in April last year. Duesmann will start working at BMW on January 1.

There was speculation at the time that he was on his way to another manufacturer, and BMW announced today that he has been drafted in as a direct replacement for Heinz Paschen, who is leaving the team by mutual consent.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen has insisted that Duesmann instigated the move himself, and made it clear that the German car manufacturer did not poach the engineer from rivals Mercedes-Benz.

"Markus Duesmann has approached BMW, because he was  looking for a new challenge," said Theissen. "His ideas for the way of working and leading a team  match our point of view. We are convinced Markus Duesmann is the right person  to fill this key position.

"His experience will aid us to continue the building process  for one team based in two locations, in Munich and Hinwil. For six years Heinz Paschen has formed a solid basis for our work thanks to his constant efforts and valuable knowledge. All the BMW F1 engines in recent years have been developed under his guidance."

Duesmann said: "The BMW Sauber team is undergoing a development phase and this means a great challenge.

"As head of powertrain F1, my task lies not only in technology, but also in the design of  structures and processes as well as in the close co-operation between the two  factories. I want to put all my experience into this project and support the team on  its way up."