Theissen: BMW ahead of own targets

Although they failed to score any points at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, BMW managed to stay ahead of the Toyota team in the standings, keeping fifth place from the Japanese outfit.

The German car maker took over the Sauber team last year, racing under its own name for the first time this season. BMW have scored 36 points this year, also scoring a couple of podium finishes.

Theissen admitted they have done better than expected.

"Although missing scoring points by a small margin, in the last race in Sao Paulo we achieved our goals and claimed fifth place in the constructors' championship," said Theissen.

"We also took an engine for homologation for the next years across the finish line.

"All in all with the BMW Sauber team we achieved more than we could have expected in our debut year. We made it into the points 15 times and even scored two podium finishes. This means we are clearly ahead of our own targets.

"What makes me even happier is that during the season our team improved in comparison to our competitors ' going forwards and not backwards.

"This is the best signal that the measures implemented in Munich and Hinwil strengthened our challenge. On the drivers' side, we are well prepared for the future."