Theissen: No power loss

Next year, Formula One engines will have to last for a full race weekend, with penalties imposed on any driver needing an engine change. But the BMW engine chief doesn't think the conservative approach will cause a massive loss of speed.

"When the new regulations were released I thought we would lose about ten percent of performance," said Theissen. "But now I think it will be much less.

"Our new P84 engine will have to be able to run about 800 kilometres. This means that all parts will have to be built a little heavier and a little tougher. This will cause a decrease in maximum revs and maximum power. But we won't lose as much as I had expected.



"Our 2003 reliability won't be easy to outdo. But this year was the first year BMW has been able to fight for the title, so obviously our goal is to win it next year."

The P84 first made it onto a test rig in July has already been tested on track. The winter will be spent improving the engine's reliability before the new Williams chassis is ready.