Theissen: new contract is first goal

Coming off the back of speculation over the weekend that tension has increased between the two parties and that BMW may decide not to continue with WilliamsF1 and choose instead to buy another team or build its own chassis, Theissen spoke of the need to deepen the relationship between the two parties to produce the competitiveness the team craves.

"Further development of the FW25 is one thing, the team's strategic concept, however, is even more important as we are looking into the future," said Theissen on BMW's official website. "For BMW, one prior aim is to take part in a future partnership that goes beyond the current role of an engine manufacturer. A conglomerate like BMW has enormous resources available and we want these resources to pour into the project.

"Currently, we are about to dovetail pieces together. We offer WilliamsF1 access to our resources and capacities. As a car manufacturer, BMW has possibilities which an F1 team naturally cannot offer. Developments in the road car sector can also be used in F1. We therefore have to fathom out which resources are suitable for a joint project. An expanding partnership bears chances and risks of course, but we believe that the chances gain the upper hand."

It is understood that BMW is unhappy with the performance of this year's FW25 chassis that has proved difficult to drive and inconsistent in terms of pace, although Juan Pablo Montoya led in Austria before his engine failed. BMW on the other hand is believed to have the most powerful engine in Formula 1.

"Competitiveness mainly depends on four essential factors," said Theissen. "First: competence of the team members. Second: workflow and processes, which means, who is going to do what and when, and how all activities interact. Thirdly: corresponding structures and organisation. And fourth: resources, which are team members, facilities, and financial means. These are the four topics currently being discussed in the negotiations with WilliamsF1 - it's not about the current performance of the FW25.

Actually the contract was due to be signed and sealed before the start of the season. But in the course of the negotiations, we came to realise how complex the matter is. Ever new aspects came up and were being discussed. That takes time, and we take that time. There is no deadline fixed. It's more important to find the perfect solution since we still aim at the world championship title."